Day 315 

Ezekiel 23:1-49; Hebrews 10:18-39; Psalm 109:1-31; Proverbs 27:13

Are You Spiritual?

“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” – Hebrews 10:24-25

These two verses in Hebrews 10 speak to what it means for us to be the Church—the Body of Christ. It is disheartening to see so much complacency in the church today. Many have become so busy or preoccupied with many things that church has been squeezed out and is no longer a priority; some have lost their first love. We cannot walk the Christian faith alone. The author of Hebrews knew this would become even more necessary as we see the Day drawing near. “The Day” is that final day when we see our Lord return. “He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead and his kingdom will have no end,” as we proclaim in the Nicene Creed.

Often today, we hear many who say they are “spiritual” as an excuse for not attending church. It is necessary to spend quality time alone with the Lord in prayer and Scripture study, as Jesus so often withdrew to solitary places to be alone with His heavenly Father. However, Jesus also spent time meeting with His disciples, loving and encouraging them.  He reminded the disciples to pray that they would not fall into temptation. This is a model for us to follow. We must have a balance of time alone with the Lord and time together as Christ’s corporate body—the Church. Today, in the news and the world around us, we experience much anger, hurt, and criticism and can even get caught up in the gossip and divisions around us.

Rather than thinking about how others have offended us or hurt us, or being caught up in the negativity around us, our reading challenges us to consider thinking about how we might build up and encourage one another rather than tearing down. Take time to pray and consider how you might encourage and stir up others to love and good works. If you do not have a place to worship or meet regularly with other Christians, ask the Lord to lead you to a church where you can experience love and encouragement in fellowship with other believers as you prepare for that glorious day of Christ’s return.

The Rev. Robin Morical
Church of the Incarnation
Oviedo, FL