doing life together

I just realized something yesterday. I mean really realized it.

I love the people at my church.

Oh, I’ve felt that right from the beginning and it’s grown over time, but it washed over me like a tidal wave yesterday. Despite being totally exhausted last night, I was smiling like a toddler on Christmas Day the whole car ride home.

They’re not just people in the pews and not just members of the congregation, they’re friends. More than that, they’re family. I like them, love them and enjoy being around them. And I’m so blessed that they seem to feel the same way about me.

I can’t help thinking about something the Apostle Paul wrote to a group of believers he used to pastor:

“We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us.”1

I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised at this revelation—I had actually learned something similar many years earlier. Prior to going into full-time ministry I had a part-time ministry in the St. Louis area. After a couple of years of preaching and pastoring, I was burned out. Working full-time in the business world and preaching regularly on the weekends was just too much, so I resigned.

The first couple of weeks were wonderful, as I enjoyed my new-found downtime. But that changed dramatically as the weeks went by. I was totally unprepared for how much I missed everyone. My heart ached so bad I returned a few months later. I loved them, worried about them and wanted to be with them again.

What about you? Are you an active member of a local group of believers? If not, I encourage you to find a Bible-believing church and worship and socialize with them as much as you can.

My hunch is you’ll find a pastor who loves his people as much as I love the people here.

So would you like to feel loved and appreciated? Would you like to be among like-minded people? Then find a church and get involved.

The truth is, we pastors need you as much as you need us.

“We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us.”

1  1 Thessalonians 2:8