“It takes a lot of work to hang in there”

“Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future.” Ephesians 4:3-4

Sitting in the chairs waiting for premarital counseling is a couple eager to get married. (At least they should be- - - it makes it a lot easier.) The pastor tries to warn them that marriage and building a family is going to be harder than they think. There will be a time when the honeymoon is over. There will be moments when they feel like the other person is so different that they must be from another planet. There will be times of self pity when they feel like the marriage could be so much more. There will be seasons of financial difficulties, emotional struggles, and conflicts over heartfelt differences, the challenges of life, constant distractions by children, work, commitments, etc.

It takes work to build a great marriage!
But it’s worth every ounce of effort!!!

Sitting in the chair is a new person ready to join the church. They tear up when they talk about how their life has been changed by Jesus Christ since beginning their journey of faith at the church. (When I hear the stories of all the people who have grown to maturity in their faith in this church and how God has blessed their lives I am so inspired.)

But just like it is for the young couple getting married, there will be a time when the honeymoon is over (it happens to all of us as human beings). For some, there are those moments when it seems that every sermon is no longer “just for them”; even though it might be for someone else. Some will have a time when they realize that worship requires them to take an active role not just watch the leaders worship. The toughest moment for some is when it becomes apparent that spiritual growth is a product of living the spiritual disciplines of Jesus and not just finding a new commodity. There are those startling times when patience is required, getting off the bench and getting involved is a must, and staying attached to the vine is essential. Some will have the shocking recognition that all of their needs cannot be met in a sixty-minute service once a week- - - this “following Jesus” is requires a lot more work. There’s a lot of growing up to do in the business of establishing a happy, healthy church, but I think if you ask anyone who has grown up here they will tell you it’s well worth the effort.

It takes a lot of work to hang in there with a church family!
But it’s worth every ounce of effort!!!

In Ephesians 4 the apostle Paul said, “Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father, who is over all and in all and living though all.”

Your friend for the rest of my life,