Online or In-person?

A colleague of mine once commented about what it means to be an ambassador. He said, an ambassador loves his homeland, has no loose contacts with it but keeps in contact with his homeland, never switches sides, holds the orders of his government, has a comprehensive knowledge of law, and allows those laws priority in his life, understands his homeland better than others, is not a coward, is not vulnerable in opposition, stands firm, yet is flexible.

A homeland refers most to geographical location, but may it not also refer to our home in God? And may we not work to be ambassadors for Him, the great Creator of all?

As God's creation, man, we are at home with God. We are His ambassadors, -- representatives of Him, divine Love. This is why, we too, can love our presence with Him, have no loose contacts with Him, but stay in close communion with Him. We can stay strong with Him, never switching sides and always fighting against any supposed power that would try to overthrow His power. Doing this we can uphold His mighty government in our thought and lives and feel His presence ever with us. Having a comprehensive, practical knowledge of God's law enables us to yield to His power and presence. We then feel his law reign within us. Living with God we understand Him, we stand for Him, we are strengthened by this relationship. We are firmly on His side, yet flexible to His guidance.

Another friend of mine related a testimony from one of her Wednesday testimony meetings in a Chritian Science church. She said a member stood up and told about a mental dialog that had come to him. It went like this: “John, I want you to get to church 30 minutes early and open the doors wide tonight," the Founder of the church, Mary Baker Eddy, said. She continued, "I’ll be giving the sermon. I want you to adjust the thermostat to make it comfortable for everyone. Turn on the lights. Unlock all the doors, have all ushers available and in their place. Tell the Reader I’ll be coming and to expect to have his readings interrupted. Let the organist know she needs to play one of my hymns. Then, call all members to be there – no member can be missing. Will you do this for me John, will you?”

My friend said he now comes to church with a renewed sense. It is as if he has been directly called to be there and to serve. He wouldn’t dream of missing a service, or sleeping in, or not filling a position he has been asked to fill, or putting other activities ahead of his one priority to be at church, in his seat, every time the door is open.

Do you and I have that same impetus to serve? If not, why not?

Certainly, with this past year of Covid-19 afflicting all of humanity, getting to church and serving it has been a challenge for everyone. Humanity has definitely had to redefine what it means to attend church, to serve church, to pray for church.

Wouldn't it be a good time, now though, to reconsider our church experience? If possible and lawful, wouldn't now be a good time to open the physical doors, welcome in the members, and begin serving again?

And, if not yet possible, wouldn't now be a good time to consider how we may serve when we get the opportunity again? How we may volunteer for those positions we've turned down in the past? How we may be more consistent in our attendance? More loving towards all, more forgiving?

Soon, we'll all be facing these questions along with the one BIG question: church attendance. Will it be just another Zoom meeting for us or will we grab our coat, slip on our shoes, and head out the door?

Christianity has proven that a community of like-minded individuals make a church. It has proven that all generations are needed in church. And it has proven that the physical doors must be open if we would be ready to greet those wandering in looking for God. It has proven that a church-homeland strengthens our relationship with God.

What better way could there be than to be God's ambassador? -- (well, perhaps including following in Christ Jesus footsteps in healing) -- but for now let's all work on prayerfully and physically opening the doors of church -- and being there!