As humans, we are social creatures. As much as I find myself enjoying time by myself without the desire to connect with others, I do need that interaction with others to maintain my humanism. What better place to get my fellowship on than in the presence of others with like mind, body, and heart for God.
“42And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” – Acts 2:42 (ESV)
Believers belong together and I should be spending my time with other believers so as to build each other up and assist with things are not going as well as hoped for. God indeed has a plan for each of us, and that plan should be without question. I will say though there are points in God’s plans that do not make a lot of sense in the moment, and it is in those times that we need others to lift us up and comfort us. What a better place to seek and receive that lifting and comfort than with fellow Christians.
But those difficult times are not the only times we should be in fellowship. We should be with one another in love, worship, and service as well. It is interesting to me how everyone comes together in times of difficulty and sorrow as well was celebration. But in just times of everyday life, there seems to be some lack of interaction and fellowship. And this is where that devotion to fellowship is important to remember. I should be looking for every opportunity to fellowship with my fellow Christians. I have to find time to interact and be with them. I have to take the chance to be more than the acquaintance that has pleasantries in certain environments. I have to be the brother to my brothers and sisters in Christ so as to be there in all times, celebratory and sorrow and just to talk to.
For me, this is really work as I am not someone that seeks fellowship and social interaction. I have to approach this with an almost project like plan. I have to make the interactions like a game plan to be sure that I am executing. I know that it will not be easy, but things that are worth it rarely are easy. It will take discipline and tenacity for me to move into a more social being. Devoting myself to fellowship is worth it for me as well as those I fellowship.
What fellowship opportunities have you missed out on? Do you find yourself getting together with others in times of great joy or sadness? What if you were to devote yourself to fellowship with your Christian brothers and sisters?
Trevor's Thoughts 