Wednesday; October 27

This month’s issue of Christianity Today had a very interesting article written by Tyler J. Vanderweele and Brendan Case. The October 19, 2021 article was entitled, “Empty Pews Are an American Public Health Crisis”. While I will not repeat the article here, I will encourage you to take the time to reference it. Basically, the point of the article is the parallel between a decrease in church attendance and an increase in mental and physical ailments. The authors tackle this work from researched analysis as well as non-scientific narrative. The bottom line is that when we remove ourselves from the regular gathering of like-minded believers, we risk our own individual health and welfare. When we regularly join with fellow Christians, we increase our happiness and contentment while decreasing self-destructive behaviors. In essence, we are better together.
Have you ever thought about why God calls His people into fellowship with each other? As the Creator of mankind, I believe He saw the value of spending time with people who share common values; but He also seems to indicate that we make each other happier, healthier and more productive when we spend time with other believers. When we spend time together we encourage each other, we comfort one another, we inspire each other and we check on one another.
It is becoming increasingly easy to separate ourselves from worshipping together. We have access to advanced technology that allows us to stay “connected” when we choose not to be together. We are even told that we are safer when we are separated by distance but is that really God’s intent for us as a body of believers? Let’s recommit to spending time in the presence of one another. Does it expose us to more risks? Sure, but it also comes with more rewards!

Think About It!

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