Author: First Baptist Church

Do you ever wonder what God is up to? What is He doing? Why am I going through this pain, or this loss? Why does my whole world seem upside down?

During 2020, we have probably all wondered this a lot. The covid-19 pandemic, has caused me to ask this, along with other trials. There is an amazing promise in the Bible that is very reassuring to me. It says, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8.28)

There have been a lot of circumstances lately, where I have wondered “what is He doing?” Or, sometimes I have asked, “isn’t there a better way?” We are not alone in asking. Jesus asked in the garden of Gethsemane, “Lord, isn’t there some other way?” (my paraphrase).

I have discovered that this promise from God in Romans 8, often include Him working in ways that seem to be NOT GOOD. Sometimes I am dealing with pain, or my loved one is. My little granddaughter has had a cast on her arm, due to her not holding on to the sliding pole. You may be going through a painful illness: like covid, or cancer, or back pain. Physical pain, certainly does not seem to be a good thing. But learning to trust the Lord through the pain is good. Learning to praise Him for bodies that heal, or for medicine that reduces pain is a good thing. Learning empathy for others who suffer pain, is a godly thing.

The Psalmist David, often gives the Lord his praise and worship because of the ways God has delivered him. Psalm 23.4 says,
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me…” In Psalm 32.7, he proclaims, “You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble.”

Years ago in another town I received a call from a lady from church to pray for her family. Her two teen-age grandsons, were visiting at her house. It was after the fu- neral service for her husband– the boys’ grandfather. They had discovered their grandfathers gun, and one of the boys picked it up. Not realizing that the gun was load- ed, one boy accidentally shot his brother in the neck. For- tunately there was no great tragedy in this case, for there was only a “flesh wound.” As the grandmother expressed it, “It could have been so much worse.”

I wonder how often we fail to realize the times of our lives when “it could have been so much worse.” I wonder how often during each day we are oblivious to the times when God spares us from tragedy? We may barely miss being side-swiped by another car, or be suddenly awakened from our day-dreaming by the screeching of tires from a nearby car. Or perhaps your child falls and hits his head, and after the crying and hugging, and kiss- ing of that child we conclude, “it’s only a little bump.”

Have you been spared from that great tragedy? Have you seen God’s protecting hand? There have been so many times in my life when it could have been so much worse. When my son ran the van into that old maple tree, and ended up with only a small bump on his head. The van was totaled, the tree hardly affected…and he was ok. I could go on and on about the many times God protected.

STRONGER TOGETHER

How often lately have you heard the phrase: “We’ll get through this together!” It has been a major theme of the coronavirus pandemic. It is supposed to be encouraging, and comforting to hear this. Yet, the longer the crisis goes on, the more people are feeling NOT together. People are separated, social distanced, and quarantined. People are afraid, and some wonder if we will ever get through this…let alone together.

Humans are social creatures. Most of us at least. Some people can survive being alone better than others because they are intro- verts…or because they have hobbies, and activities that they do alone. However, many are suffering greatly by being NOT together. They are of all ages. Children, adults, parents, and grandparents are feeling the isolation of loneliness. We are NOT together, as we need to be.

So, we are trying some new things to give people a little togetherness. Summer worship services at the lake, and also indoors have been one way of getting folks together. Yet we miss eating together, or going places together. We are looking forward to resuming some fall activities like Sunday School classes and youth activities. Brown bag lunches at the park have been fun. With school starting up again, kids are able to connect socially again some, despite those masks which are such a nuisance.

I believe being together is essential for Christians and churches too. Yes, there is fear and risk in being together. We might spread the vi- rus. But, being apart may tend to affect our “spiritual fire.” One great fear for people during this time of shutdown, has been the loss of strength. Older persons who become less active, and who are shut-in tend to lose stamina, and muscle tone- unless they are deliberate in keeping fit. Likewise, spiritual lives may grow weaker if people are isolated and not coming together to fellowship. Yet how can we do togetherness safely? Hopefully we can work through these things with help from one another.

BEING TOGETHER AS A CHURCH COMMUNITY IS POWERFUL! Here are reasons why it is important to figure out creative ways of gathering together, to worship and fellowship and pray.

1) TOGETHERNESS IS HELPFUL WHEN BEGINNING NEW THINGS: Acts 1. 14 speaks of the beginning of the Church. “They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers. Acts 1:14” The early disciples spent lots of time together, praying, singing, eating, talking, probably laughing. As a result they grew in faith, and others joined them.