Together

Life was meant to be lived together in community. Genesis (the book not the group) 2:18 says that it is not good for man to be alone. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 points out that two are better than one and that we are to be pitied if we don't have an encourager, a friend. Jesus surrounded himself with friends and even though he stole brief moments alone with God, he still made sure to be back with people. Hebrews 10:25 compels us to continue to worship together.

There is power in connecting to God together. There is heart in our worship, passion, when we worship together. Even Jesus promises in Matthew 18 that where two or three are gathered together, he will be there too. There is a promise when we worship together. That promise simply says that when we come together in Christ's name to worship the living God, He is present with us.

Now, keeping this in mind, Dick and Rick Hoyt are a father and son. Due to tragedy at birth Rick is unable to walk or talk. Eventually, through technology and the loving pushing of his parents to make sure he has as normal a life as possible, Rick was able to write out his thoughts. He communicated to his dad that he wanted to run in a simple five mile run. Dick wasn't a runner but agreed to push Rick's wheelchair in the run. Rick said it was the first time that he didn't feel handicapped, that race.

Now Dick pushes Rick all over. They have competed in marathons and triathlons, Dick towing Rick in a boat, riding with Rick on the front of his bike and pushing his streamlined racing wheelchair as he runs. Rick couldn't compete without his dad. Dick wouldn't compete without his son. But instead they do it together. Dick is the body. Rick is the heart.

There is deep spiritual truth to that. We shouldn't be happy or content worshipping without people we know should be in worship. If my worship lacks power or heart or passion, maybe it is because I know that there are people who should be connecting to God with me and I have let them slip away. I have not been living up to my end of the 10:25 challenge. Who do you know that should be in church but hasn't been? Why haven't you called them? Why is it acceptable to you that they are NOT in church?