September 26, 2013

Christian Friendship

Hebrews 10:19-25

Let us … spur one another on … not giving up meeting together …
—Hebrews 10:24-25

— 

One snowy night, we had to cancel our church service. I did everything I could by phone, but still, two cars trundled into our parking lot. These people had not received the message, and they had come through the storm to be at church.

The first was Mary, whose husband had died just a month earlier. When I apologetically told her church was canceled, she just laughed and said, “Well, I guess I needed a drive in the countryside!”—and off she went back home.

Two minutes later, in came Dale and Faye. They also just laughed, and as we talked, I said, “Mary was just here too.” Then we talked some more, and they left.

A bit later, I texted Mary to see if she had made it home safely. She texted back: “Yep—and Dale and Faye just stopped by for a visit!” We may not have had a service at our church, but fellowship still happened at Mary’s house.

Someone has to say, “Well, let’s take this moment and share our Christian fellowship with someone.” Someone else needs to smile and open the door.

That someone is you. We all need Jesus, and especially in the storms of this life we all need to share his warmth as we share our faith together.

Seek out and commit yourself to this kind of fellowship. You will be happier.

Thank you, Lord, for the Christians around me. Help us to love and support each other, making the most of the time we have together. Amen.

About the author — Keith Mannes

Keith Mannes serves as pastor at Highland Christian Reformed Church in McBain, Michigan. Keith and his wife, Alicia, recently celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary,
and they are thankful for their three children—Eben, Charis, and Breanna.

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