If you are a Christian, you are called to so much more than just warming a pew on Sunday mornings. Or your couch at home while you watch services online. I know there are those who will read this and push back because they’ve been hurt in church, by church people. The fact that they are even showing up for church on Sunday mornings is a minor miracle all on its own. Hear me when I say that I’ve been there, too. But understand that it means that you are not living into your calling as a follower of Christ. We are called to follow Christ, not people, and sometimes that requires us to follow Him in spite of others. It is difficult to function in a healthy way within a faith community when you’ve been hurt, but our mission is to follow Christ.
All Christians are called to be part of a local body of believers.
…and let us consider [thoughtfully] how we may encourage one another to love and to do good deeds, not forsaking our meeting together [as believers for worship and instruction], as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more [faithfully] as you see the day [of Christ’s return] approaching.
–Hebrews 10:24-25 (AMP)
As Scripture points out, believers are meant to live in community with one another. Whether your faith community is a traditional church that meets in a traditional space, a contemporary church that meets in an old storefront or movie theater, or even a small group that gathers in a private residence, you are called to be part of a faith community that breaks bread together, fellowships with one another, and worships, studies, and prays together. We are to meet regularly with one another, and we are called to commitment and faithfulness within our faith community.
If you’ve been hurt by church folk, then this will seem like a tall order, if not a downright impossibility. Believe me, I get it. But you, with all your unique talents and gifts and your unique personality are important to the body of Christ. You matter, and you are needed.
WALKING IN YOUR GIFTS
Someone, somewhere needs to see you walking in your gifting, in community with other believers. They need your example. Each of us has been given spiritual gifts as Holy Spirit dictates (see 1 Corinthians 12:4-11). We’re to use our gifts to strengthen and build up one another. When we build up and strengthen one another, that also strengthens our faith community as a whole.
There are always those who believe they have no gifts. This is not true. If you are struggling to identify yours, you may need to talk to friends or take an assessment. Not all gifts will put you front-and-center, and not all gifts mean you will be undertaking large things. Those with a gift of service may find themselves doing many smaller, behind-the-scenes tasks. All of our gifts are important, and if we do not operate out of our gifting, not only will it affect us negatively, it will affect our faith community negatively as well.
YOU ARE IMPORTANT
All gifts are important and necessary to the proper functioning of the body (see 1 Corinthians 12:12-26). What if there was no one around to do what you do? How might that change the atmosphere of worship or the functioning of your faith community? What if I told you that the things you do in service to your faith community are less about the people and more about the Lord whom you serve?
Whatever you do [whatever your task may be], work from the soul [that is, put in your very best effort], as [something done] for the Lord and not for men, knowing [with all certainty] that it is from the Lord [not from men] that you will receive the inheritance which is your [greatest] reward. It is the Lord Christ whom you [actually] serve.
– Colossians 3:23-24 (AMP)
Yes, we are called to love one another, exhort and build up one another, but it is for God’s glory. It is in service to, and out of love for, Him that we serve. You are needed. You are important. And God loves you.