I slip my shoes back on in our front room as I realise the time; the last chunk of Sunday afternoon and it’s time to go. As the weekend slips away and it’s raining outside, you don’t understand why I’d leave the comfort of my own home. But what you also don’t understand is that church is more my home than these student digs could ever be.
You say “why church?”, I say “why not church?”
Church, where the world assumes a crowd of self-professed perfect individuals gather. What I find there instead is a family of devastatingly human humans- imperfect, perfectly aware of their own flaws, carrying scars and battles wounds, yet emerging triumphant in the knowledge that they are loved.
Church, where the world assumes a crowd gathers, of faces with up-turned noses, jumping at mistakes and adopting a ‘holier-than-thou’ stance. What I find there instead is freedom. Freedom from judgement, support through the confusion of my own mistakes, and forgiveness from my Saviour when I’ve lost my way.
Church, where the world assumes a crowd gathers, stiffly held in pews, singing dreary dirges and plotting cunning conversion. What I find there instead is Joy. Joyful arms lifted in worship, offering their praise to the One who first loved them, and a desperation for others to see the way this Love transforms lives.
You say “why church?”, I say “why not church?”
Why not church, when it’s a family, a home away from home? A place to work out what you believe, but without judgement and certainly not alone. A safe space to gather with others in Jesus’ name, to share in each others victories, to mourn in one another’s pain.
Where the world assumes a crowd of time wasters gather, I find Eternal Hope. So when you say “why church?”, why not just #Trychurch?
