On Wednesday, the whole family loaded up in the van and headed to Eagle Mountain Elementary. We were escorting Walter to turn in all his work for 3rd Grade. He finished with all As and Bs, and we are very proud of his accomplishments. He’s a good boy. After Walter hugged on his teacher, Kira and I were having a conversation with her about the next school year and how difficult it’s gonna be to get kids back up to speed academically. It’s always a struggle anyway after coming back from summer break. She said, “There are several weeks at the beginning of the school year that you have to play catch up because most kids have not read a book, solved a math problem, nor been in any learning environment for weeks.”
This got me to thinking…
I think we are going to have to play catch up, too! When we can have in-person worship and Bible classes again, I believe we will have our work cut out for us. Here are three areas on which I am convinced we are going to have to work.
- We are going to have to play catch up to get up to speed on what is going on in each other’s lives. Since we have not been together regularly since the middle of March, I have really tried to check on people the very best I can. There have been multiple phone conversations, texts, and even in-person meetings to pray, counsel, and encourage. Some (if not most) of that work in ministry naturally happens when we are together regularly. I can check on you, and you can check on me. But, lately, not seeing you put a damper on those efforts and only so much can be done when we are all spread out. Being together is what God designed for his people. Hebrews 10:25 – “and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.” We are going to have to play catch up on stimulating one another, love, good deeds, and encouragement.
- We are going to have to play catch up to get up to speed on how to worship together again. Worshiping in our home has been excellent in some respects. It has strengthened our family. But, it has been a struggle in some respects. I have not heard you sing. I have not heard you pray, I have not heard you amen an excellent point in my sermons, nor laugh at my many hilarious jokes. I miss that. When we get together, we really need to be ready to be active participants in worship together. We need to not just go through the motions of our worship (Sing, pray, read, eat the LS, and give). We need to really put our whole hearts into it and sing like never before, pray with tender hearts, follow along in the scriptures, commune together, and whole heartily reflect on the death of the Lord, and financially, sacrificially, give with generous, cheerful hearts. Our worship needs to be filled with the spirit. John 4:24 – “God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth”. We are going to have to play catch up on worshiping in spirit and in truth.
- We are going to have to play catch up to get up to speed on our Biblical knowledge. I know Matthew, Shawn, and I have offered online worship with solid Bible sermons. I know that we have provided excellent online Bible class lessons that allow you to follow along with us in your own Bibles at home. But I also know that there are several that have not taken the time to do this. Reality says that the only bible lessons some were ever getting were when we were meeting together. For some, the only bible lesson they participated in was the 20-minute sermon on Sunday morning. So, what do you think happened when we stopped meeting face to face? Some people probably did not embrace online worship and bible study mediums. The reason could be two-fold. First, perhaps, they just don’t know how. Understandable. (But of course, we would be more than willing to help you set this up for you in your house.) Second, perhaps they just don’t want to nor see the value in it. I hope and pray that if you have not been watching our online worship and participating in the online Bible classes that you have taken the time to study on your own and with your family. But I’m afraid many have not. When we all get together again, we are going to have our work cut out for us when it comes to study and knowledge of all things Biblical. I’m not trying to belittle your intelligence because I know you can know the Bible without someone telling you what it means. But I am aware that God has chosen preachers to be the communicators of His Word (See Romans 10:14-15). 2 Timothy 2:15 – “Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” We are going to have to play catch up on our bible study efforts and Biblical knowledge so that we can rightly understand the Word of Truth.
In conclusion, when we get back together, don’t be lackadaisical. Let’s be ready to play catch up and get up to speed in all three of these areas. Its gonna take some work, but I’m up to the challenge! How about you?
I love you,
Alexander