He's Never There

The family was enjoying a meal together after the morning worship service. Grandmother, always interested in her granddaughter, Sara, turned to her and asked, “What did you learn in church today?”

“Well,” she said after thinking a moment, “I learned that the church is God’s house. But you know, Grandma, I never see Him when I go.” 

That makes me wonder what Sara might have been looking for. Surely there were songs and the reading of Scripture, perhaps the people greeted one another and exchanged smiles and handshakes. There certainly must have been sermons about the church being “God’s house” that she had listened to in the past. But Sara was not able to “see” God in what is called His home. Perhaps no one ever explained to her how one might recognize God.

Paul, in describing how Christians ought to “fellowship” said, “Try to understand what the Lord wants you to do.” The problem is not that we do not understand what we are to do, for there are many examples in Scripture about how Christians are to behave. In all honesty, the problem has never been how but actually doing what we understand what God wants us to do.

The early church was known for the loving and protecting, sharing and caring way Christians honored and respected each other. This came from their reverence for Christ and their desire to live lives that pleased Him. Could it be that people looking for God in our churches cannot see Him “in His home” because we lack His compassion and care for one another? 

Prayer:  Help us, Lord, to reflect Your presence in our lives by the care and concern we have for one another. May everyone who knows us see Your love in all that we do. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. Ephesians 5:15-21