Well, the picnic was a washout and yet people enjoyed chatting together under umbrellas, and the communion was far from the norm yet it was great to gather with others around the Lord’s table.  We have so valued meeting as leaders to pray and reflect on what God is saying to FCC at this time, and our life group has been able to say its hello’s and goodbye’s in person (as people have joined and left the group) and to sense the tangible presence of God as we have met in Room 7.  None of this is surprising – we are meant to value meeting together! 

When we became Christ-followers, we were adopted into God’s family and welcomed into a new home for life.  It isn’t like joining a gym where there are lots of different individual membership packages to suit availability or preference.  It’s a place of belonging where everyone is important and necessary for the good of the whole.

In Hebrews 10 verse 25, it says “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching”.  The writer recognises it’s easy to fall out of the habit of gathering, to drift away, but he stresses how important meeting together is, not only to support each other but also to spur one another on to love and good works. 

I know meeting together in person is difficult for many right now – that’s why I’m so grateful for technology!  It’s not the how, where, or when we meet that matters – it’s that we prioritise it and keep on doing it as often as we can.  And the Holy Spirit is happy to help us as we seek to do that.  Last week, for instance, as I was working in and around our building, I just “happened” to run into a couple of people I had, that morning, felt prompted to contact and we had a few special minutes together.  We have also found ourselves “bumping into” people during our walks along the beach or in the town and enjoyed catching up and seeing what we could pray for. 

It’s simply being aware of God’s promptings, intentional about taking his cues, and interruptible when God sets up those chance encounters.  Let’s make the most of the opportunities he gives us, however brief, because we don’t know how long this marathon is going to be, and all of us need some help along the way.  I’m so grateful I don’t have to make this journey alone and that God has put a great bunch of people around me.  Thank you for the care, encouragement, provocation and support you bring.  I hope I can do the same in return, whenever, wherever, however, we meet.
Caroline

30/08/2020