Not an Island

 

“Don’t forget your spiritual fervor.” These were the last words my mother spoke to me before I headed back West for school. I immediately felt visible. I was happy but also embarrassed that she could see me. She could see I was going through something. A spiritual battle of sorts. There was no need respond to her comment with a story or lengthy excuse. So I replied with a simple “ok”. I was thankful.

I must say it was relieving to have someone speak a word of encouragement to me. No matter how simple, I needed to hear those words. They woke me up! They reminded me how important it is constantly filling my cup up daily. I was not exercising my faith fervently (Romans 12:11 NIV). Her words also reminded me about the significance of   the church. When I speak of the church I am referring to the people, not the physical structure. At that moment I needed the church. That day my mother embodied the church for me and interceded.

So often, I hear people gripe about all the reasons why they avoid the church (the people) and the church (the structure). While I do understand many of the complaints made I do not believe they out weigh the fact that we cannot make it in this world alone. We need one another’s love, support, attention and listening ear. Without these things none of us will be successful in our purpose.

“See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called ”Today”, so that none of you may be hardened by sins deceitfulness. We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end.” Hebrews 3:12-14 NIV

Since the moment I returned West, I have found different ways to fill myself up with God’s word daily. I have worked on intensifying my alone time with God. To be consistently fervent. You have heard the cliché before “new level, new devil”. I walked into my new journey with the same level of intensity forgetting I would need to go even harder with my faith now that God has placed me in a new circumstance. So cheers to a new level of worship, praise and fervent faith.

P.S. Embrace the church (the people) and be thankful when the church (the people) see you. It is okay to corrected or redirected in love. It is okay to talk to someone you trust. It is okay to have someone pray for you. It is okay to be human. It’s all love and we all need it.

~xoxo