Family Gathering
Isn’t it amazing how the whole world seems to have heard and even know the “Our Father”prayer? Even atheists know it like a familiar song. When Jesus was asked how to pray, the first two words He spoke blew open a whole new concept to the crowds and the “religious”! “Our Father” stood in complete contrast to the sort of transcendent, inapproachable god the religious spoke of. Their god kept people in bondage and condemnation.
The word “Father” in reference God was scandalous in the Jewish world. Father (Greek: Pater and Hebrew: Abba) inferred a close and caring Personal Relationship to God! Jesus began His prayer to God as Our Father, our Pater, our Abba, our Dad! This single word out of the mouth of the Messiah changed everything underscoring a close, personal and familial relationship with God, the creator of everything.
Christians might say they realize this but at the same time, blow right over the “Our”. Our is a possessive adjective teaching us that this is not a me me me prayer but rather a us us us prayer! The words of Jesus totally dispel the notion of individuality and the going it alone- just me and Jesus attitude in the Christian world. We are called to gather together in one big messy bunch of Abba’s kids.
“The church is not a building. Me and God, we’re good” flies in the face of everything Jesus taught.
The church is beyond a building but it is an awesome place to call home. We are called to gather in families, encouraging one another. All of us with all of our hot messes, all of our issues, all of our sins and all of our traumas. We are called to stand together with Our Father. Churches are where we find a sense of community and family. We find healing and share in helping others find the same. Of course you are going to feel “church hurt” as some point. Pull up your big kid panties and ask yourself why, what part you played and how you can help. A church is like any other family with a crazy uncle, a wild child - you get the picture - imperfect people striving to get it right, sometimes failing but always there ready to catch and cover their family. Families love each other anyway.
Find a place that you can call home. Don’t come with a laundry list of gimme’s but rather roll your sleeves up and give where you can. You’ll find connection, hope and healing. I am convinced that God has made sure He can be found if you seek Him with all your heart. Where imperfect Christians are gathered, He, the only perfect One, is Always in the midst. In our world of social media and internet connections that range from doctor appointments, workouts, counseling sessions, business meetings and dating we grow more and more isolated in our world of filtered reality. The Christian walk can’t be this way you guys. Can we connect with all sorts of people with all sorts of their favorite flavors of Jesus from all over the world? Yes. But make no mistake, We Need Each Other. Gather together under the same roof as often as you can. Do not hide behind a live feed or replay and watch what Our Father will do. #Jesus