Essential

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Acts 2:42

In the last year, I have heard the word essential more times than ever before. As I mentally flipped the page of the calendar to this new year, my thoughts turned to what is essential in my life in 2021? What is absolutely necessary and extremely important? And, what should I let go?

When Jay and I got married many moons ago, we weren’t active in a church. However, as we began to think about having children, we thought that we needed a church for our kids but not so much for us.
 
We began to shop for a church and looked no further than First Presbyterian in Greenville, SC, only a few miles from our home. We didn’t prayerfully consider it. We just thought the church was beautiful, and the people looked like us. So we joined. I don’t recommend that as a model to find a church, but God uses many different ways to lead us—even ways that may appear superficial on the surface.
 
We became active in that church and joined a flourishing Sunday School class. We shared meals, studied the Bible, and experienced life together. They became our dearest friends. Soon we found that we were expecting our first child. The doctors discovered that our son Brock had a heart defect that would require surgery when he was a little older. He died at six months old, about a week after surgery. Jay and I were devastated.
 
Our church community surrounded us, propped us up, fed us, prayed for us, and loved us until we were able to put one foot in front of the other. Years later, that experience is why Jay and I are so passionate about connecting people to Jesus’s church and His mission.
 
We believe that being part of the Church and a church community is not optional. This connection is essential for our faith and our souls to heal, grow, and soar.

For Reflection

What do I want to leave behind in 2020?
What are the essentials in my life for 2021?
What next step can I take to become more engaged in the Church and with the body of Christ?

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your church and its mission and that You welcome everyone to the table. Guide me, lead me, and give me energy to engage my faith and Your work in my life, my community, and in Your Church. Amen.