I am delighted to share this space with a dear friend, Ruthann Blosser Longcor. She reflects on the mystery of the Church. bN
"Today finds me pondering....reflecting.
Yesterday, as Natalie and I turned left off of 67 to go to church (not our usual route as we opted for a safer path), I reflected on the phenomena of the members of the "body of Christ" gathering Sunday after Sunday. Grace's parking lot was not full, but it had a surprising number of cars in the lot. Why?
For most people, a paycheck does not depend on it, a law does not require it. All around the world, people make space for this gathering on mostly Sunday mornings. In some countries, people risk their very lives to gather in a secret place. For many, not only do they attend, but they give enormous time, money, and energy to serving children and others at this time. There are good reasons to stay home some weeks (and certainly, yesterday there was good reason to cancel services), my standing with God does not depend on something I do.
Yet I am in awe of how people who love Jesus gather as the Church. I reflect on stories of those who say a particular gathering changed the trajectory of their life. My whole being is silenced at the thought of what this draw might be. Who commands such devotion, such motivation? Perhaps there are mixed ambitions, but for the most part what/who fuels this activity? I think of the ONE who lures us. I love gathering with other believers...to hear their laughs, to see their worship, to witness this "invisible force" that commands our love--but WHY am I hooked?
I think of children who climb under pews and chase one another around parents' legs and as they do, they experience this phenomena before words make sense. Sometimes this group is just a family in a living room...other times it is with thousands of others...why? Not sure I understand it...but I have this mystery deep in my soul that tugs me week after week."
Amazing grace. bN
