Dearest Church Family,
First off, I want to ask you to consider who you could invite to join you this Sunday at New Life to hear the sermon—“Why Should I Trust The Bible?” This will be the second installment in our series titled “Asking For A Friend…” Is there someone you care about who has questions about the reliability and trustworthiness of scripture? This is a great opportunity to generate some discussion with them on that so-very-important topic.
Second, I recently finished reading a book that got me thinking more deeply about The Impact on our Brains of Placing Ourselves in Settings where People Are Glad to See Us. It explores the neuro-science of Christian Fellowship, and specifically the JOY that comes to us in being together with people who visibly express their own joy in being in our company.
It’s giving new meaning to the oft-spoken phrase “Good to see you today!” that we (hopefully) hear when we’re in church together.
That “goodness” is actually a neuroscientific fact. It is truly good and healthy for us to see other people’s faces brighten when they see us coming. There’s no real substitute for that. Church should be a place where that happens…a LOT!
Perhaps this is one reason the scripture urges us to “… welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God” (Rom.15:7 ESV). A welcoming community of believers is one in which peoples’ countenances light up when they see each other and they break into a grin, joyful at the prospect of being together once again.
It’s just too easy to take each other for granted. Wouldn’t you agree? To approach individuals we’ve seen hundreds of times and barely acknowledge their existence, thinking “I don’t need to make a big deal that I’m seeing them again. We’ll be together many more times. Nothing of special note here.”
I think one lesson the Lord impressed upon my heart in the wake of the recent passing of our dear friend and elder Bill Robbins is that we don’t necessarily have that guarantee that we’ll see each other again. At least not in this life. When I chatted briefly with him in the office hallway a few weeks back I had no idea that would be my last real interaction with him. I carry some regret for not being more aware at that moment, not valuing that short chat more than I did, not expressing my genuine respect and affection for him.
Yes, it’s true. I had no way of knowing that would be the final exchange between us. But the message of this book has driven home to me the importance of not taking people for granted, and not just assuming they’ll always be around.
Cycling back to my first point it occurs to me that when I bring friends to New Life I don’t just want them to hear a good sermon and listen to some good music. I want them to see welcoming faces of New Lifers who know Jesus and as a result, take an interest in them. I want them to experience YOU!
If the COVID era with all of its restrictions taught us anything as a church, I hope it’s the value, joy, and encouragement that comes to us from just being together, of actually seeing each other and interacting in loving ways that show on our faces. Brian science reveals that this is actually a key factor in our own personal discipleship, causing us to feel loved and valued and propelling us forward in our walk with Jesus and His people.
But, of course, we were already aware of that, right? As our scriptures say…
“And let us watch out for one another to provoke love and good works, not neglecting to gather together as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see The Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:24-25 CSB).
Thanks for listening! And it will truly be good to (hopefully) see you this Sunday!
Blessings!
Pastor Steve