Acts 2:42-47 (CEB)
42 The believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the community, to their shared meals, and to their prayers. 43 A sense of awe came over everyone. God performed many wonders and signs through the apostles. 44 All the believers were united and shared everything. 45 They would sell pieces of property and possessions and distribute the proceeds to everyone who needed them.46 Every day, they met together in the temple and ate in their homes. They shared food with gladness and simplicity. 47 They praised God and demonstrated God’s goodness to everyone. The Lord added daily to the community those who were being saved.
Left to my own devices, I would probably spend a lot of time on my own. I really enjoy quiet time, reading, thinking and planning for the future.
That technically makes me lean toward "introvert," but it doesn't mean that I'm ready to move off to a cave and take up the life of a hermit just yet.
I enjoy being with people too. I think most of us are probably that way.
The truth is we all need time apart. We need quiet. But we also need each other. We need the gift of laughter and smiling faces. We need to tell stories and be heard, and we need to listen and love in a way that can only happen when we're with other people. It's just how we're made. Today's reading from our devotional guide points out an interesting thing about today's life, however. Maybe we're rarely truly alone, or truly with others in any kind of intentional way that makes a difference.
This is something that church has to offer. Being with people doesn't mean just being surrounded by noise and distraction. Many times I have found myself in a crowded coffee shop, or at a ballpark, or a shopping center, only to find that though many people are in the same place, few of them are actually "with each other" in any kind of meaningful way. We easily tend to live in our bubbles of protection until we can get back inside the safety of our houses and plug into a screen.
But we were made for more. We were made for "fellowship and the breaking of bread." We were made for hope and encouragement. We were made to walk this path of life...together.
Grace & Peace,
Adam
Today's Small Step: Check out your latest church newsletter, your weekly worship bulletin, and the latest emails from SOTH and church facebook postings for ways that you can plug into one of our many small groups.
Better yet, come out at 9:30 this coming Sunday morning and join the newly forming "30 Day Church Challenge" study group!
Today's Big Idea: Look back over Acts 2:42-47. Which parts of the story most appeal to you? How could you incorporate these kinds of experience into your life?
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