Sunday I was at church and while the service was a good one as it usually is, it isn’t what brought me joy. Even though the sermon was about what it means to be a church, the big factor I walked away with is that God loves reconciliation. It was a side note that Pastor Ron mentioned, but it’s what stuck with me the most. And if I’ve learned anything, it’s that God speaks to all of us differently. Just because the sermon was on one topic doesn’t mean we’re all going to take away the same personal message. My message, though I’m not sure how it was applicable at the time, was that God loves reconciliation. Perhaps it was a gentle reminder that I’ll need to apply in the future? Maybe I’ll be faced with a situation where I’ll have to apply cease-fire, I’ll have to compromise and come to a middle ground with someone. Maybe I’m supposed to reconcile my relationship with Him? Whatever it is, I heard it. I heard it loud and clear.
The other note I took from the Sermon is that God is everywhere. Pastor Ron talked about what it means to be a church, and how it’s the community of people that all strive for the loving relationship with Jesus. In the very beginning he asked people to think about what a church is to them and then to draw a picture of it. “What does church look like to you?” I know he was meaning to take it literally, but to me, church is where the cross is. When I think of church I’ve always thought of a big wooden cross. In fact, I don’t think I could be comfortable in a church that didn’t have one inside. To me, church is where you are distinctly reminded of Jesus - That God sent his only son to die on the cross for our sins… for our salvations. Yes, God is everywhere. I often feel him surrounding me when I’m hiking or running… as I see nature around me. I see God as I look out my front door and watch the hummingbirds come to feed. He is in the beautiful sunrise and the spectacular sunset. He could be present in the way a friend touches you gently when you need comfort, or the way someone smiles at you and you see the happiness in their eyes. God really is all around us.
Often times I look forward to singing the worship songs the most. I sing the words aloud and even though I know I’m singing off tune, I look up at the wooden cross and I can’t help but feel God’s love. Sometimes God holds my hand, and sometimes he wraps his arms around me and asks me why I’ve been gone for so long. It’s very rare that I walk out of church without feeling something. As I’ve mentioned, I took two notes or reminders with me after leaving on Sunday. But the joy. The joy was found in the last song sung before we were dismissed. You’re probably wondering what song it was that had this affect on me. The thing is, it wasn’t the song exactly. It was the fact that as we were all singing, about two pews ahead of me was a little boy - between 4 and 5 if I had to guess. And as a good part of the congregation was singing and even clapping along, this little boy in his red shirt was clapping along like there was no tomorrow. He didn’t know the words, but you could see the passion in him as he clapped along off rhythm half the time. But he didn’t care. A couple times he stopped and looked around and then he’d suddenly start again. I know his back was to me, but I could tell he was clapping along with such fervor. I couldn’t help but smile. It was at that exact moment that a smile crossed my face and I was filled with joy. I continued to sing while I wore that smile, and was filled with joy… so much joy that I never could have imagined from what seemed like such a simple moment.
I can’t emphasize enough how important it is to recognize the little things in life that make you happy. Simple pleasures. Little things. Joy. Whatever you wish to call it or recognize it as, it’s those things in life that you just can’t put a monetary amount on. Whatever it is, recognize it and be grateful for it. Who knows, it could be God’s way of trying to reach out to you and communicate. He could be trying to open your eyes… He could just be trying to make you smile.
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