Connnections

Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possesions and gooods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.  So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people.  And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.
Acts 2: 44-47 NKJV

What a sight it must have been in the early days of the church of Jesus.  The followers of the risen Lord gathered daily to felllowship and praise God.  Far from sharing time together, these early believers were sharing life together.  These weren't some of the shy, loner christians that we see today.  No, these guys were gathering in community with one another daily.  I'm guessing there was an air of excitement among the followers of Jesus in those days, and it was indeed evident.  I've rarely seen this level of enthusiasm among christians in my time.  I remember asking a freiend of mine if this type of community would be possible among believers today.  He agreed that we could, but that our society would need a few changes.
One of the catch phrases in modern christianity is that of "community."  Basicaly, christians gathering to share their lives together.  This isn't  just on Sundays or "Bible  Study" evenings, but  each day of the week.  I'm thinking that this would be a culture shock to most people, myself included.  Not  only that, but I'm thinking the NFL television ratings for Sunday games would hit an all time low.  I can see it now, people gathering on a Sunday morning with no thought of just how quick they can exit the church!  Believe me, I've been there.  My idea of a Sunday morning was used to be a obligatory visit to Gods house and a few handshakes with people I only saw on Sunday.  After that, it was back to my "normal" Sunday of football and relaxation.  I bristled at the very thought that I should spend more than an hour in church.  Church had become more of a imposition on my time than a community of beleivers, something I was compelled to do rather than a heartfelt desire on my part.  As a result, I became burned out on the traditional idea of church.

But without your consent I wanted to do nothing, that your good deed might not  be by compulsion, as it were, but voluntary.
Philemon 1: 14 NKJV

God has the outright ability to make us do anything that he wants, but what good would that be?  I believe that our Lords desire is for his creation to DESIRE to commune with him and do his will.  Looking at the early church in Acts 2, that's exactly what was going on.
I mentioned that my idea of church was being compelled to attend a weekly meeting, but only for a time I deemed necessary.  I shudder to think of how my life would become should God develop such an attitude towards me!  Would He feel "compelled" to listen to my prayers, take an interest in my life or even guarantee my salvation?  Thankfully my Gods love and grace supercedes my own selfishness.  He loves me in spite of myself, and THAT is the essence of his grace.  So, where did my failed idea of a Sunday worship get me?  Well, I lost out on many of the personal connections I would have made had I stepped outside of my comfort zone and became a part of Gods community.  After all, isn't that what community is all about?

~Scott~