Finding God in the Mysteries of every day

Week 16 Day 6

Finding God in the Mysteries of every day

Acts 7: ⁴⁸ “However, the Most High does not live in houses made by human hands. As the prophet says:

⁴⁹ “‘Heaven is my throne,
    and the earth is my footstool.
What kind of house will you build for me?
says the Lord.
    Or where will my resting place be?
⁵⁰ Has not my hand made all these things?’

            Let’s be clear. God is present not only in the building, but everywhere. In these bleak times it is extremely comforting to know that even though we may be prevented from gathering together face to face we may yet seek the communion of prayer and come together in Spirit. Unlike the folks in the first century Church who may have been subject so being scattered at the whim of an emperor, an employer, or the vicissitudes of climate and agriculture, we have in large part the amazing capacity to communicate over long distances instantaneously with voice and print communications. What an amazing age we live in.

            Let me be clear. I believe that the convenience of a Church building is a wonderful idea. But, like so many other things the idea has morphed into an untenable public image. It is not the exclusive abode of the Lord God. It is not the fountain of blessing truth and the Holy Spirit. Those things can all happen in that place, but merely showing up at the building does not guarantee that you will meet God there. Remember the old bromide; “Showing up at church doesn’t make you a Christian any more than showing up at Macdonald’s makes you a hamburger.”

            The first century Church often met in secret. They often dispatched emissaries to other towns to carry the message of the “Good News” (hence the title “Evangelist). Amazingly, the Church grew and thrived. Even surviving the weirdness of heresies and political and social persecution. Hmmmm.