They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. Acts 2:42-48
This is one of those verses that I realize is so important to my spiritual health. Fellowship, being together, meeting together, breaking bread, enjoying favor... just getting together as a group of Disciples. I know I have to get up and pick up my mat and get on with things, but in all honesty, when meetings of the body occur, I need to go. I have put a premium on two meetings of the body, midweeks and worship. After those two, I have not put a premium on Bible Talks, D-Times/Groups, dates/doubles with other members of the church, or just hosting an event of some sort. These all get effected by the fact I work in the restaurant business.
As a young leader, I held to the idea that if I'm going to ask members of my group to go, then I should be there. Not only that, I need to be more than on time and stay to the last of my group leaves. If there was a meeting of the body, I was there. More recently, I get to asked to serve as an usher and it hurts my ability to worship in church. I know worshiping God is more than being in the pew, singing and sending out words of encouragement to person on stage, but when I can not go during the week, I find this my time to commune truly important.
I'm challenged now with the balance of My Wife's needs as well as mine. When I'm not working, I'd like to go to things, but often she doesn't want to. What am I to do? Back in the day, when people missed meetings of the body, and then something challenging happened to them, it was said God was showing them how important it is to go. We all know this is not true, but it is a good little bit to think about. I know I have seen the sick get well quicker when they go to church.
For me, I have missed every midweek this year, because I was chasing jobs and hours to help recover what I would have made if I were still working at the NoDev Italian restaurant. Tonight, we're meeting some one at 5:30 pm about our new mortgage and I'm hoping I can go to midweek after that. Of course, I'll have to balance being there and leaving at an appropriate time for us get enough rest for the next day.
