CHURCH BY THE BONFIRE
A week ago tonight, Elaine and I were invited to a bonfire with 20-25 others. We had met one couple previously, but all the others were strangers to us and many had not previously met each other. We were young and old, born-again anywhere from two weeks to nearly 70-years ago, and from many walks of life.
There was no spiritual hierarchy, and nothing to indicate our relative economic status. I felt an instant sense of connection as I moved around and engaged my newfound brothers and sisters while enjoying a wonderful spread of food that all had brought.
There was a history of brokenness among us, as is always the case because none escape it – – except that here it wasn’t disguised by religious pretense or hidden behind sports talk. It was just conversation about our past and present and how God brought us here. That is as needed and liberating as it is rare even among Christians.
We humans secretly long to be known and accepted but we fear that we’ll be rejected if we are known. We are each, in every moment, a blend of strength and weakness, yet the fact is that we must often put on a facade if we want to be accepted.
We headed home as bedtime approached, knowing that we had been in a holy assembly.
Such fellowship cannot be of man – – it can only be of God, among those who live in anticipation of our Lord’s return.
“Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks that he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.” Gal. 6:2-3 nasb
Ken Stoltzfus
Kidron, Ohio USA
Oct. 23, 2021
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