Missed Opportunity.

Io mi sono rallegrato di ciÒ che mi è stato ditto: Andiamo alla Casa del Signore. Psalm 122:1 (Italian)
I was glad when they said unto me: Come let us go into the house of the Lord. Psalm 122:1 (English)

I was a college student studying in Florence, Italy. I was homesick. I woke up Sunday morning yearning for the familiar of my church back in the states, Mount Calvary Baptist. I longed to sit in Sister Tims’s Sunday school class. What I would have given to hear the choir sing or to hear one of Rev. Kennedy’s funny stories. I missed stealing furtive glances at the Westin twins. Determined to find a sanctuary to worship in, I went to a local Italian protestant church. I was met with warm smiles and the hymns, though in Italian, had familiar melodies and the message was one of God’s love and mercy. Halfway around the world, I was at home in God’s house. As Christians, we must always keep in perspective what a wonderful opportunity it is to worship with one another.

David, in Psalm 122 is glad to go to the house of the Lord. For Christians, sometimes it is only after an illness or an unfortunate circumstance that keeps us away from church that we begin to realize how important it is to fellowship with other Christians. In a good Christian fellowship we are happy when there is good news; we support each other in sickness and distress. We help each other grieve. We bear one another’s burdens. We lift our voices together in songs and corporate prayer. We share the same ultimate goal and focus on the same Savior. Don’t miss every opportunity you have to join together in the house of the Lord.

As you share your faith remember to tell others how good it is for Christians to gather together in love.

Deacon Larry Woodard