Rhythm

There is a rhythm to the exercise of our faith. For many of us, this rhythm is centered around weekly attendance at church. Flowing out of this weekly meeting are all sorts of ancillary activities: youth groups, life groups, Bible studies, men's and women's events, informal gatherings. All are designed around the hope of growth in our faith, in our relationship with God.

This rhythm is not a bad thing. It is our culture's response to "church" as spoken of in the New Testament. The writer of Hebrews tells us to "not forsake the gathering together", and our weekly rhythm of coming together is a good response to this prompt.

I am tempted to write here that this rhythm has been disrupted, but rather it has been stripped away through recent events and government mandates. Yes, we are attempting to maintain a semblance of the rhythm with streamed worship services. While I don't think there is anything wrong with this response to the mandate to shelter at home, I do wonder what God is up to.

A good friend, one who serves on the staff of my church, recently voiced this same wondered question. His question was centered around what "church" might look like after this period of forced separation. It is a good question to ponder in light of how technology has replaced physical building and face to face gathering. I too wonder if this disruption might cause larger churches to evaluate the time and resources committed to programmed ministries. It might be a good time to start fresh and see what might grow organically rather than simply picking up where we left off when we are once again allowed to freely gather.

But that is not my main thought. I am sensing something else, a wondered hope for hunger to arise within us. I am certain many are missing the presence of good friends, their faces, hugs and voices that are part of healthy fellowship. I certainly look forward to the day we can freely gather again, formally as well as spontaneously. Perhaps this desire for others is a shadow of a deeper desire. It just might be Abba wants us to lean deeper into this desire, let it grow to a hunger for Him.

Jesus made an incredible statement to His guys that last Passover. He said we are in Him and He is in us. None of these present events surprises God. Maybe some of this "down" time, away from the busy-ness of our culture, could be used to unpack a bit of this mystery Jesus spoke of. What does this really mean for us, this Christ in us, we in Christ? It can start with a bit of sacred hunger.

Jesus also told His guys the Spirit would come after He left. The Spirit was to be our comfort, our counselor and guide into all truth. This Spirit dwells in us. I can't help but think this peculiar territory we all find ourselves in, is very fertile territory, if we but take some time to be with Jesus.

Take a deep breath, open Scripture and let it breath into you. Let it read you! Let hunger for God have its way and lead you, your good heart, into something different, more personal. Perhaps this time can be the establishment of a new rhythm for us all, a rhythm of personal fellowship with the lover of our souls, a rhythm where we can fall more deeply in love with Jesus.