Scripture Reading: Acts 2:38-47, Acts 4:32, 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, Colossians 3:14-17, Hebrews 10:24-25, 1 Thessalonians 5:12-28
When I say the word church, what comes to mind? With the rising number of disenchanted Christians telling their stories of hurt, it’s worth asking why a person would want to attend church with the reputation it has. But maybe when I say “church,” you immediately picture a handful of close friends because it’s been a safe, welcoming place of belonging and care. Or maybe, like me, you’ve had both experiences. You love the Church yet sometimes wish you could distance yourself from the pain or inconvenience that comes with living alongside other people.
My husband and I attend a neighborhood church where he serves as the youth leader. We’re both “people people” (we finally made a shared calendar to keep track of our varying commitments!), and what I’ve realized since being with him is that, as a single adult, I curated my community so that I was primarily spending time with those who were like-minded. Since being together, I’ve found myself around a lot more people I have little in common with. Hospitality comes easy when you’re sitting across the table from someone who shares your love for quality time and deep conversation. But now, ministry and friendship have become less convenient. “Above all, put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity,” wrote Paul in his letter to a local church (Colossians 3:14). I’ve sensed God inviting me to not just make room, but to pursue unity with different kinds of people without needing anything in return, whether those are junior high students, staff members, sports moms, or new friends.
God calls us to care for the people in our spiritual community. There is a calling to tetheredness, a “with-ness” in the lives of His people together. “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer,” describes Acts 2:42. Nothing in this verse implies that this was easy, convenient, or even mutually desired (the day I discovered not everyone in our church wanted to be my friend was a needed awakening—ooph!)
We do a lot of things. But do we really see people? Do we extend warmth and welcome, seeking to know and understand? There are a few things, I think, that can hinder this: an overbooked calendar, an idolatry of self-comfort, or an aversion to difficult or needy people. Even so, it‘s for our benefit and God’s glory that we lay down our lives and pursue the best for one another (1Thessalonians 5:15). This means arranging our days so we have space to show up for God’s people in worship, service, and fellowship, sharing both burdens and joys together. And on the days when we are feeling tired or lonely, maybe they’ll be there to do the same for us.
Written by Bailey Gillespie
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17 thoughts on "Making Room for the Church"
As i sit here reading this sad for people who have had church hurt or have struggled with the church, my heart breaks for them. Yes people in the church have hurt me over the years but the church has come around me and given love. I’m sitting here this morning crying because tomorrow has been 5 years since my mama got to go be with Jesus. I am excited for a houseful of people and yet also wishing I could just sit and remember her. Then i think of how she loved people. So I will show hospitality to all I come in contact today as well as those that come into my home. I am so thankful for all of you and the insight you bring to each study. Thank you for being here.
My Thanksgiving this year is one that I, and countless others, have prayed for for seven years. All of my kids will be with me today! I have held off getting a family photo until my prodigal returned, and so today is the day!
Thank you all for praying for our family through this difficult journey. I am praising God today for the blessing of family and prodigals returning. I am praying for heart change toward a relationship with Christ for all of our lost family members. Love this SHE community!
May God be in your midst as you gather today.
I, too, am THANKFUL for you sisters who are so intentionally living out Hebrews 25b-
“…encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day approaching.”
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This reading made me think of stained glass- each piece purposeful and beautiful on its own, but when meshed together with the other pieces and held together by the heated metal (LOVE Colossians 3:14).
I found this just now:
The metal in stained glass is called lead came. Lead came is an L-shaped channel made from a flattened and flexible metal which is held together with small solder joints. It’s designed to hold the individual glass pieces of stained glass in place and to provide a framework for the different shapes.”
L-SHAPED!
HOLD IN PLACE!
PROVIDE A FRAMEWORK!
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My prayer for each of you today through the hard, the happy, and the
‘who knows?’:
1 Thessalonians 12:28-
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
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❤
“Nothing in [Acts 2:42] implies that this was easy, convenient, or even mutually desired (the day I discovered not everyone in our church wanted to be my friend was a needed awakening—ooph!)”
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Wait! What? LOL such a true insight.
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Being the church is being family. We all are adopted and loved by the Father.
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Praying for a peace-filled fay for all of you.
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I wrote this whole missive, it’s gone to be checked over! That’s twice this week!
Ahh well!
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I did end however with a love note to all in the Americas who will be sharing with family today in Thanksgiving.. travel safe and enjoy your time with family..
Much love, as always..
Tina ❤️
Bless you Tina! Hugs from afar!
Thank you…will check back for your original message
❤️
My Thanksgiving prayer.. May your day be FILLED with kisses and blessings from God, straight to your heart and soul!! May you SEE Him in amongst all the “busyness” and may you have “Mary moments” where you just sit at His feet marveling at Him and all He is giving and doing!! May you bathe in His Presence and never let go!!! I pray PEACE over you and your household!! May the Spirit be so strong that you can’t do anything but stay and rejoice in it!!! I pray BLESSINGS over you and each one who enters into your home, may everyone feel, recognize, see and be blessed by God directly!! Let Him make Himself KNOWN!!! And may the unity we experience, just by gathering together, go one step further.. may we be UNIFIED in Him!!! Amen!! ❤️️
—Happy Thanksgiving dear sisters!!
❤ Beautiful, ERB! Thanks so much and back atcha!
I receive and am thankful for you prayer.
So glad to see your notes and comments yesterday.
God bless you❤️
My version of church isn’t the building and large crowds but it is the shared encouragement amongst my friends and peers in my local online communities. We pray for those who are lost in our families and those who have outside friends and neighbors. It has brought me so much joy to be there with people who are so dedicated to sharing Christ with the community.
Amen. Today with family, not always harmony. Help me Lord to get to know and understand others.
1 Thessalonians 5:16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
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Lord, thank you for this community of sisters who gather daily here. Please guide me today as so many personalities gather together where tension will be rampant.
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Happy Thanksgiving, sisters!
One advantage to a small gathering!
Happy (and mannerly) Thanksgiving! ❤
Happy Thanksgiving girls! Be blessed!