Community

One of my best friends in this world is a Pastor's daughter. When I came to college, I hated church. Before we really became friends, I watched her very closely, because I had this idea of what pastor's daughters were like (and it wasn't good). I thought she was gonna randomly change and go evil or something. Nope, she's been one of the most consistent people in my life. She has consistently been there for me. And has consistently been an example of the benefit of being a member of a body of believers, part of a Christian community.

In earlier days, she would smile sadly at me as I would make sarcastic and bitter comments about church and church people. She would tell me that there are always those churches out there, but one day she hoped that I would find a church that was good for me. And in those moments, I would realize that I had given up on church. I didn't need it.

Much has changed since then. Liv and I are still best friends, but we live far away from each other. She has encouraged all of our friends, most of whom had similar bad experiences like myself, to keep trying.

When I talk to her on the phone now, she has a long list of stories about all the things she's doing with her church, and I can tell that she still loves it. And I love her for it.

Today, I can proudly say that her hope and enthusiasm for church has actually rubbed off on me. This morning, I slept though my alarm clock and realized I would miss Sunday School class, which made me really upset... And I don't even have a consistent Sunday school class yet.

This Summer I got to see what it's like to be really involved in a church. And I loved it.

Then I came back. I was really worried that I wasn't going to find a church, but I started researching them online. So, jet lagged and hopeful I ended up at Community Church in Hendersonville.

This morning marked the 7th Sunday that I have attended this church. And as I sat with my very new acquaintances, who are actually my age, I couldn't help but think that I've finally found my church home.

Even if I don't become good friends with these acquaintances, I'm officially at the point where I'm meeting people. I'm starting to know people's names. I'm starting to notice things about them. I'm becoming part of this community.... And I'm really excited about it.

Last week I even went to church on Wednesday night. When the schedule came out on Friday, and I realized I could go to church again on Wednesday night, I actually squealed for joy and smiled like an idiot.

We have this theme this year at church called "Radically Changed." We are reading through the Bible... Last night I read 17 of some of the most depressing chapters in the Bible with an unnerving sense of enthusiasm. God bless Ezekiel... And even crazier, it makes me excited to be reading through the Bible with a group of people who are all doing the same thing.

But other than reading the Bible enthusiastically and craving it, the Lord has graciously allowed me to become part of this church's story. I'm becoming radically changed in the fact that I'm actually excited to be a member of a church. And while I'm not officially a member of this church, in my heart I have joined this community whole heartedly.

So thanks Liv for all your prayers and hope and your consistent example to me over the past four years. And to every one else that is looking for a good church, keep looking. God is going to bring you to the right place eventually, and enjoy the process of getting there. God is teaching you something in the journey. Take a moment to listen.