Forsaking the Assembling

Chelsea and I have been trying to prioritize exercise and healthier food choices recently. It’s really easy to let those things fall to the bottom of our priority list, especially when life gets busy and stressful. But we’re trying to raise our health priorities up a few notches and, while we’re not doing a perfect job, we’re certainly doing better than we have been. We even have joined a group of friends that tries to keep each other accountable to make healthy choices. Now, ask any of my friends, I’m terrible at keeping up with people. You know the character in the movie who says something about someone being their best friend and the other person responds: “Best friend? You haven’t called me in like 10 years!” Yep, that’s me. But I try to check in to the group somewhat regularly and really appreciate the support and motivation it provides.

You know, I really think that’s why God gave us the church. It probably would have been easier for everyone involved if He had decided to just have a personal, individual relationship with people and not asked people to gather together to worship Him. But that’s not what He did. And that’s not what He wants. The Bible tells us that we should “not (be) forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:25). Church may seem a little outdated, especially in today’s world, but according to the author of Hebrews, its relevance only increases as we get closer to Christ’s coming. So go out of your way to check in with the closest group of believers. You’ll be glad you did.