Are you sure?
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Why join church?
“Why would I ever want to join church?”
was my question of years ago.
I’d have to
sit on sometimes-turbulent committees
work with occasionally difficult people
provide prayerful and financial support.
Who wants all that?
Why not just attend weekly services
and continue to pray and study
on my own?
Why not just avail myself of others’
insight
effort
dedication?
Then one day, after years
of this kind of thinking,
a new possibility dawned on me:
What if belonging to church
deepened my understanding of God
helped me live and practice Christian ideals
opened new spiritual vistas and demonstrations?
What if those sometimes-turbulent committees
provided avenues for meaningful involvement?
If those occasionally difficult people
strengthened my character, patience, and compassion?
If my time and prayers and donations
actually made a difference to other members
and the world?
Today, there’s a different question I ask myself—
one that reflects my humble gratitude
for the unique ways in which
church membership has allowed me
to progress spiritually
to honor, serve, and bless others,
to feel more of God’s grace and harmony
every day:
“Why did I wait so long?”
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