I found the following story in my husband’s college football manual. Awesome.
The Silent Sermon
A member of a certain church, who previously had been attending services regularly, suddenly stopped coming to church. After a few weeks, the Pastor decided to visit. The Pastor found the man at home alone, sitting before a blazing fire. Guessing the reason for the Pastor’s visit, the man welcomed him, led him to a comfortable chair near the fireplace and waited. The Pastor made himself at home but said nothing. In the grave silence, he contemplated the dance of the flames around the burning logs.
After some minutes, the Pastor took the fire tongs, carefully picked up a brightly burning ember and placed it to one side of the hearth, all alone. Then he sat back in his chair, still silent. The host watched all this in quiet contemplation. As the one lone ember’s flame flickered and diminished, there was a momentary glow and then its fire was no more. Soon it was cold and lifeless. The Pastor glanced at his watch and realized it was time to leave. He slowly stood up, picked up the cold, dead ember and placed it back in the middle of the fire. Immediately it began to glow once more with the light and warmth of the burning coals all around it. As the Pastor reached the door to leave, his host said with a tear running down his cheek, “Thank you so much for your visit and especially for the fiery sermon. I shall be back in church next Sunday.”
I’m beginning to realize that the human heart was made for fellowship. Even those of us who like to consider ourselves loners were made for coming together. Life is hard. It is even harder when you try to do it alone. Every time I put my Mom on an airplane to go back home after a visit – I feel it. Every time I hug the neck of a friend I don’t get to see often – I feel it. Every time I hang up the phone after a good conversation with a far-off family member – I feel it then, too. I feel the need for fellowship. The need for some connectedness. Of course – times alone in quiet seclusion with Him are an important part of our walk. Of course, it is our responsibility to live a life of worship and service. We should never look to anyone else to fulfill us in certain areas. But we do need each other. My husband and I go to our first small group meeting tonight with our new church ….and I just thought this little sermon was fitting for today. I hope it speaks to your heart like it did mine.
Have a wonderful week 🙂
I have found that whenever I miss church one Sunday, it's suddenly easier to miss two, then three. Sometimes I realize that a month or two have slipped away without my having much input from fellow Christians. And those are the times I start to feel isolated. I wonder, why doesn't anyone notice I'm barely holding it together? And I realize how important it is, not to miss that first Sunday.
Thanks for the reminder.
Hi Kate- just stopping by to visit! What a great story…that will stick with me for a while! We just moved last summer and are still trying to get connected to a church community…we have a lot of Christian friends in the area, but being committed to a church is so important.
By the way, I'm going to be in Sandusky this weekend!! We're visiting my husband's family– staying at Tyson's parent's house actually- looking forward to introducing our girls to all of their relatives there!
So good!!!! I can always feel it so keenly when we have had to miss church…especially several times in a row. We do need that fellowship. Praying you LOVE your new church and that you and your family flourish in His house!
Blessings, sweet Kate!!!
K 🙂
You know I had one of those moments of sweet fellowship yesterday as we had to travel for funeral-celebration of life for a Godly man. I stopped by a mentor's home and made their supper cold but got several hugs and TONS of encouragement that my heart needed!
I could easily be a hobbit school and rest schedules of the children not to mention cold and flu season. But everytime, I feel my heart crying out for sweet fellowship.
What a powerful sermon that was! No words needed; just being there. I spend much time alone lately so I love my Sunday morning small group Bible study at my church.
I also love connecting to other Christian women online, like you sweet Kate. And frankly, I love to reach out to nonbelievers and share the love of Jesus with them. Do you know a blogger from another state asked me to connect with her younger sister in my area and she is now going to church with me on Sundays? How cool is that? And her 2 and 3 year old girls are being exposed to the love of Jesus too. I'm praying for her salvation which would be such an answer to prayer for her sis.
I guess you could say I think fellowship is important. But I also agree with you that we cannot substitute fellowship with others for time spent alone with our Lord.
Love you,
Debbie
I really needed this Kate. I am someone who definitely needs fellowship to glow brightly. Thanks for pointing out that I'm not the only one. Please blog more often!
-Kristy