I love my church, but I’m also grateful for the local church in general. In all its beauty and flaws, I can’t imagine culture surviving without it. I’ve grown up in the church, been a part of one since I was born. Many of my closest friends are from church, and I’ve gained so much knowledge and character from time spent in Sunday school, Bible studies, sermons, small groups, and spiritual conversations.
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But I think, at least in our current environment, it has become easy to make the church a common point of criticism—both individual churches and the church body as a whole. And the complaint is not completely unfounded; the reality is that the church is filled with people who can make a mess of things. We hurt others and sometimes forget our ultimate focus: Christ. But in the frustrations and negativity, it can become easy take the church for granted.
The church is more than just a denominational affiliation we have. It’s more than a building (though we often say “I am going to church”). Church, in its best sense is a body of people who all stand for Christ and follow Him. I’m thankful for this church in Miramar that I am a part of. I’m thankful that I’ve made so many good friends here. I’m truly grateful that side-by-side with these people I have the opportunity to serve. I’m grateful for the people who have invested in my life, helping me grow spiritually and learn what it means to follow Jesus.
Even more than those things, as great as they are, I’m thankful for God’s continuous and abundant love and Grace for His people here in this place, His church.
In scripture, we see God’s plan for the church in motion: It is healing, standing for the oppressed, taking care of its own, and bringing in others from the outside—Looking Upward, Inward and Outward. In all of that God continues to love us deeply, to call us into His story, and to work through us.
Even more than personal salvation, most of the New Testament is dedicated to explaining what it means to be a Gentile and be part of the people of God. That is not a blessing anyone should take lightly.
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God has grafted me into the family tree of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Romans 11:11–24). When I was baptized into Christ, I became a child of Abraham, an heir according to promise (Galatians 3:27–29). By grace, through faith, He gave me the right to become God’s child and call God my Father (John 1:12). All of this was done by the Spirit through the church.
In Christ, the family story of the Bible is my family story. I’m getting the opportunity to live out that family story with the church every day of my life. And I am overwhelmed with gratitude that God has allowed me to be part of His people. Through Him, I have a seat at His banquet table, be a citizen of His heavenly kingdom, and share in the inheritance He is giving to His people.
Here is your call to action. If you don’t have a church, start looking. It won’t be perfect. That’s OK. You won’t agree with everything. That’s all right, too. Keep looking till you find one. If you have one, give thanks to God for the privilege He has given you.
I love my church where I serve, but I’m also very grateful for all the local churches.
No specific prayer requests this week. I am in a state of gratefulness. Feel free to send me a note and tell me why you love your church. That would be awesome.