An interesting phenomenon in recent years is the tendency of Christians to assemble only with their local church family when they are at home and to avoid assembling when traveling, on vacation, etc. At best, some will spend a few private devotional moments in lieu of gathering for worship with the family.
Jan and I have been blessed in recent years by opportunities to assemble with brothers and sisters in various parts of the world. Each time, the worship is fresh and challenging, stimulating and encouraging. We see and experience things we would otherwise miss. We see faith lived out–sometimes in unique and different ways.
Today we will worship with the family of God. Some aspects of what we share will be different. This week we will assemble with God’s people almost daily. We will be blessed by meeting brothers and sisters we did not previously know. We will at times be outside our comfort zone. But we will be among God’s people–and the familiar will outweigh the unfamiliar.
I do not know what your practice is when you are not “at home” on Sundays. I encourage you to reconnect with the family. You will be blessed in unexpected ways!