Destination Approaching: The Gift of Gathering
Destination Approaching:
On Saturdays, as we wind down on our route Home, it’s a great time to reflect on our weekly pit stop along the way—Sunday, and corporate worship. We were designed for community and called to be in community. While there are certainly spiritual hazards when we try to walk this road alone, these Saturday reflections aren’t meant to sound the alarm—they’re simply here to prepare and direct our hearts and minds as we collectively head to church—which should be the weekly pinnacle of our lifelong journey.
*ding* “Destination approaching.”
Today, when talking to a new supplier, I casually mentioned something about my faith to open the door for conversation. It was simple—something like:
"I haven’t been down here in a while. The last time was when I was with my church helping out during an outreach event."
That one small comment prompted him to pull me aside and ask about my church. He opened up about some personal struggles—turns out, he’s a follower of Christ as well. What followed was a conversation about God’s sovereignty, His plans, and how He sometimes tears away the idols we cling to so that we can cling to Him. It was mutually encouraging—a great way to head into the weekend.
We’re now connected on this journey Home, able to lift each other up in prayer as needed.
It’s a powerful reminder that something so simple and non-proselytizing—like a brief comment about being involved in church—can lead to a God-ordained crossing of paths. Yes, there are times to be bold, broad, and direct… but the LORD loves to use mustard seeds too.
As I approach Sunday—after a week full of corporate stuff and noise—it’s a needed reminder of WHO I ultimately serve. When we walk through those church doors, may we enjoy the smiling faces, hug the ones with tears, sip that cup of church-coffee at Sunday School… but ultimately, may we take a moment to look around at everyone gathered and remember:
HE drank the cup of wrath, so we could drink His cup of blessing.
Yet it doesn’t escape me that some reading this may not be so free to worship as I am.
Some may be glancing over their shoulder even now...
Some may not yet know where their secret gathering will be held this week...
Some, not by choice, may celebrate the Lord’s Day in silence—just themselves and GOD alone.
Beloved, may we not miss the absolute gift we have in community.
If you have the blessing to gather—do so.
It is a gift from the One who is community Himself.
“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”
— Hebrews 10:24–25 (ESV)
His,
~Matthew
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