“You surely know that your body is a temple where the Holy Spirit lives. The Spirit is in you and is a gift from God. You are no longer your own.”—1 Corinthians 6:19 (CEV)

I have to be honest, last week’s post about “Finding the Church in Uncertain Times,” was a struggle for me to post. When I first started writing it, I had one title but as I continued, I felt it take a turn and be more about finding a church. It didn’t make sense to change the title or what I was writing but I did it anyway. 

While I love my church, lately I haven’t been feeling as filled as when I would actually attend a church service, so I felt like a hypocrite writing and publishing the post but at the same time, I felt God impress on me to do it. Maybe it was for someone reading it that was searching for a local church? That may have been the case, but God used it to convict me of my heart too.

When I woke up the morning of the post, I prayed, Lord, how do I find the church? Why did those words pop in my head? I already have a church where I am plugged in. Then I felt God say, Look up. What? You want me to look up? I didn’t understand, so I opened up a Christian morning inspiration playlist and the first song that played was, Look Up Child, by Lauren Daigle.

I finally got what God had been trying to tell me through writing the post and what I heard that morning. He was telling me; I need to look up to Him and find the church in me. If that wasn’t enough that I had heard God right, the next song to play (a new one for me) was one called, Stir a Passion by Josh Gauton  The lyrics sing, Stir a passion in my heart, God. Let it overflow, let it overflow. Breathe on me, Holy One. Come reveal Your wonder now. Open wide my eyes to see. There’s so much more. Tears rolled down my face as I listened to those lyrics. 

God was telling me to open my eyes, look up and that is where I find the church. The church is with me wherever I go, not just in a physical building that I visit on Sunday mornings. I was convicted that I shouldn’t be depending on a weekly church service to stir that passion in my heart. I have access to that every moment of my day. So, do you. The church of Christ is in each one of us. 

While last week’s post was to encourage those that didn’t have a church family to look for one, it was also for me to find the church within during these uncertain times. Stir a passion did open my eyes wide to see things from God’s perspective and not my human one. 

Cross Timbers Church is doing a good job staying connected, encouraging and giving hope to our community. They are doing the best that they can despite not having a physical gathering place. Hearing Look Up Child reminded me that the church is in every believer. My spiritual growth should not dependent on a weekly sermon. I am the church. I bring it wherever I go. 

Do you find yourself in a spiritual slump not being able to attend your weekly church gathering? What are some things you can do to reveal the church within you to those you encounter this week? For those that aren’t leaving your house, that doesn’t have to limit your interactions. 

Maybe like me, you have realized that you can be used by God as a part of the body of Christ outside of your church walls. It may take thinking outside the box, but God wants all of us to be a beacon of hope for those who are struggling during this pandemic. I would love to hear how some things you may be doing to bring the church to others.

Dear Lord, 

Help me to remember that because I have the Holy Spirit within me, I take the church wherever I go. I thank You that despite places of worship not being open, that I have still have the opportunity to share the love of Jesus to those around me. I praise You for reminding me to look up to You to stir a passion in my heart. Lead me to someone who I can encourage who is struggling with their faith. I trust You to empower and equip me with the words to say to lift them up. It is in the name of Jesus that I pray these things. Amen.

 May Memory Verse

“God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.” —Psalm 46:1

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