The Joy of Gathering Together

As I look over the last 3 years of serving in a youth ministry, I have often wondered whether or not I wore a "mask." We often refer to the persona that a person puts on in a certain situation as a "mask" so that people will think they are one way when, in fact, they are not. So frequently I have rough days and I come into FOS and there is a smile on my face, joy in my soul, and conversations to be had. As I contemplate this thought, it hit me- I've never had to try. Never once has my joy been deceptive, nor have I tried to fool everyone into thinking I've had it all together. I have joy because I am doing something that God created me to do- gathering for corporate worship.

In Psalm 42, the Psalter writes:
"These things I remember,
as I pour out my soul:
how I would go with the throng
and lead them in procession to the house of God
with glad shouts and songs of praise,
a multitude keeping festival."

The author is going through an awful experience in life- his tears have been his food day and night, his adversaries taunt him, he has felt far from God for too long...and what does he do? He posts his feelings on Facebook so his 1900 "friends" can all ask, "What's wrong?" and then write on his wall how great he is! (Buzzer sound) Wrong! He preaches to himself, first, that God is still God and that he has hope in God! (There will be more to come on this idea of self-preaching). But he says as he pours out his soul he remembers how he would gather with the throng (a multitude of assembled persons) and lead them in procession in the house of God, with glad shouts and songs of praise, a multitude keeping festival! He looks back on his time WITH THE CHURCH in fondness and it is a memory that allows him to press onward! It is beautiful. He remembers his friends gathering together, he remembers how he would lead them, and that very memory serves him in his moment of despair.

Christianity was meant to be lived out in community, not in isolation. We have others to help carry our burdens, we have people to cry with us and pray for us and hurt with us! We have people to rejoice with us and to hope with us and to love with us! It is a gift- the church is a precious gift of Christ and how we spoil it by being so angry towards it!

I know that one day, when trial comes, I will look back on my time at FOS as I pour out my soul. I will remember how I stood with the kids singing praises to God and rejoicing at all that He is and does, and that very memory will push me through trial.

I hope you have that because it is there, you must want it. Thank you Lord, for the beautiful bride that is the church. We are not perfect, but you are...and we worship you for that, TOGETHER.