We all need the church, each and every one of us.
It is a place of peace, a place of healing, an occasional place of conflict (which is normal), a place of seeking, a place of wholeness and a place of love, joy and companionship.
We devote a lot of time to looking: What is the meaning of life? What is my identity? Who am I as a person? And even, where did I put that receipt so I can return this gift?
As humans, we have a natural curiosity to wonder and seek out answers. This devotion to seeking understanding is okay. We should feel free to ask questions.
That’s one of the things I love about being Presbyterian. We encourage faith-seeking and question-asking. We feel it helps people learn, grow and become better disciples of Jesus Christ.
We should celebrate the moments of discovery, especially the unexpected ones. Even though Christ wrapped in waddling clothes lying in a manger wasn’t what most people wanted out of a Messiah, it was what they received—and what a precious gift it was!
We must be prepared to encounter God in our daily routines and habits. Can we find God in our homes, at the grocery store or in the hallway with a chance encounter with a stranger? Yes.
We also encounter God within the walls of the church. This takes place when we greet one another, worship with one another, pray with one another and live life with one another.