With The Church
Yesterday, I blogged about “The Hidden Person Of The Heart,” today I went to be with the church.
I served with the church by scooping Goldfish and changing diapers, drying tears and reassuring little hearts that Mommy and Daddy would return. Then I worshipped by praying, singing, confessing, listening and learning with the church.
One of the songs we sang was the hymn “It Is Well With My Soul,” and the Holy Spirit gently brought to my mind my soul, the hidden person of MY heart. The lyrics came alive as they injected gospel truths that I could apply to yesterday’s reflections. No matter if I am facing “peace like a river” or “sorrows like (rolling) sea billows” or if Satan seems to be winning or trials should come - It is all “well with my soul” because “Christ hath regarded my helpless estate and hath shed His own blood for my soul.” ALL the short comings of my hidden person are “nailed to the cross and I bear it no more.” With tears escaping the corners of my eyes, I praised. I know these truths down in my soul and it is indeed well.
Our pastor preached through the last six verses of Hebrews 9 in a sermon he entitled “Once For All.” Again, the Holy Spirit reinforced that what Jesus did by voluntarily sacrificing Himself was sufficient and final for the salvation of the hidden person of my heart, my soul. And, with that understanding came additional motivation to adore and obey the One my soul loves.
I visited with a few church members before leaving the building we meet at. I was asked real questions and I asked real questions. Real answers were given. I longed to stay longer. It was good to be with the church. I can’t help but feel that this is what fellowship is supposed to be.
I had served with them. I had worshipped with them. I had been reminded of the gospel with them. I had been real with them.
It was in this space this morning that the Holy Spirit reinforced what He’s been teaching me. He encouraged the truth of the gospel within me. He refreshed my hidden person of the heart to go back out into a lost world that celebrates instead of confesses sin.
I’ve often wondered how nonbelievers traverse life’s trials and hardships without Christ. Nowadays, I often find myself wondering how believers face waiting Christ’s return without doing so with the church.
Kirkwood Church ~ Clarksville, TN