The Church

In our Sunday School class we have been going through the book of Acts. I like history, so the book of Acts has always held a particular interest for me. It just so happens that I've also been listening to some theology classes on Ecclisiology - the branch of theology that is concerned with the nature, constitution and functions of a church. So naturally these two have intersected and gotten me thinking about the church.

I've always gone to church. I was taken to church from the time I was born and to me it's just a natural thing to do. In fact, I've never even considered not going to church. But as I've been thinking about the church and it's role and purpose I've had to stop and ask myself a rather simple question - Why do I go to church? It seemed like such a simple question, but the answer didn't come quite as easily as I thought it would.

Have you ever asked yourself that question? If you would, I'd like you to ask yourself that same question and then comment. I'm really interested to see what types of answers we get.

Our Daily Bread

Some of you may have noticed that I have not blogged much lately. In fact, I've only written once since August 26th (I went back and checked). I would like to blame this on being too busy, but I can't. The real reason is that I just haven't had anything on my mind to write about, and for me that is not normal. For whatever reason, I've always got several things going on that I could write about. Some I choose to put down in words and others I choose not to, but there is normally no shortage of material. As I thought about it, I just realized that I was very 'dry' spiritually. But how did I get that way? I'm in the Scriptures every day - how did that happen?

It just so happened that I went to a short men's retreat over the weekend at St. George's Island. One of the things that was mentioned by the speaker was a man's "daily communion". Once he said that, I immediately knew what my problem was. Although I read my Bible every day, I haven't been having my 'Daily Bread'. Let me explain what I mean.

I teach a Sunday School class on Sunday morning, the church Youth Group on Sunday night and a Middle School class on Wednesday night. In order to do that, I have to organize my time. So here's what I do.

Monday morning - Sunday School preparation

Tuesday morning - Sunday School preparation

Wednesday morning - Middle School class preparation

Thursday morning - Sunday School preparation

Friday morning - Youth Group preparation

Sunday morning - Sunday School review

Sunday afternoon - Youth Group review

Most of that time is spent in the Word, so I should have a million things going on in my mind and heart that the Lord is working on. But I don't. How can that be?

What I realized is this - all of that time is for someone else. I'm digging in the Word to prepare Bread for others, not to feed myself. You see, there is no replacement for our Daily Communion with the Lord. We need that quiet time with Him . Without it, we become dry and empty on the inside. So this morning I got up and read my Bible - not to prepare a message or a lesson , but just to spend time with Him and His Word.

My Struggle with Suffering

Periodically - usually about once a year - I read through the book of Job. Like most people, I struggle with the reality of suffering in this world. I try to placate my struggles with the idea that suffering is good for a person. I think we all know and believe that going through hard times can make you a better person. There is a wonderful scripture in Ecclesiastes that teaches this:

"Sorrow is better than laughter, for by a sad countenance the heart is made better. The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth." - Ecclesiastes 7:3-4

I know that the suffering that I've gone through in my life has made me a better person - more mature, wiser and more trusting in God. But there are other types of suffering in this world that have no explanation, like the suffering of children for example. Try as I might, I just cannot come up with any good reason or explanation for it. So back I go to the book of Job.

Job was able to put a voice to the very question that I have - Why? And God answered him in three of the most amazing chapters in the Scriptures, chapters 38-41. And in those chapters I realize that if I were able to voice my questions to Almighty God even today, that He would answer me the same as he did to Job those many ages ago:

"Who is this who darkens counsel by words without knowledge? Now prepare yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me."

"Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. Who determined it's measurements? Surely you know!"

"Would you indeed annul My judgement? Would you condemn Me that you may be justified?"

And Job's reply says it all for me:

"I have heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees You. Therefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes."

And in those chapters my soul is satisfied - satisfied in the magnificent wisdom of God. Satisfied that He is good and just and merciful. Satisfied for another year or so - until the struggle builds up again and I return again to the book of Job.