One of the places we go to hear God's voice is church. Sometimes what we hear there comes through a bible reading or a prayer, a sermon or a song. Paul tells us we are to come to church bringing something to share - a psalm, a teaching, a hymn (1 Corinthians 14:26; Ephesians 5:19).
And so the early church when it came together, was something like a potluck meal. In today's church the dining is a little more formal. But whether it's casual or coat-and-tie, it's still the "food" we come for.
Most of that "food" today is prepared by professionals who meticulously plan the menu and precisely measure the servings, so most of the luck is taken out of the pot, which sometimes is for the better. ...Though not always.
But whether your church is a five-star restaurant or more of a soup kitchen, it's not the ambiance of the location that counts, it's the nutrition of the food that's served there. And sometimes the simpler the fare, the better it is for the soul.
We come to church, or should come, not just to be fed but to feed, to give as well as receive, to speak as well as to listen. What we speak and what we give and what we feed others with is something that God has first spoken to us, first given to us, first fed to us.
These moments when we feed others, or when by others we are fed, are sometimes moments of transcendence. Moments when we are lifted above the care-worn shoulders of our own world and given a look through the transom into the world of another person, and every once in a while even given a glimpse into the world beyond. For instance, a moving story told in tears, someone kneeling in prayer, a baby sleeping in its mother's arms...communion.
These are moments that make a difference not only in the service but in our lives. This week, when you're in church, see if there's not such a moment for you to receive...or maybe such a moment for you to give. (From "Reflections on Your Life" by Ken Gire)
I look forward to seeing you Sunday.
Blessings,
Mitch
