It was a beautiful Wednesday evening when we headed west 1 1/2 miles to Grandview Baptist Church. As we pulled into the parking lot, others were getting out of their vehicles and heading to the front door, stopping along the way to hug each other and share about the weather or their day. As we made our way into the cool inside, there were others already there with smiles on their faces and hands outreached to shake ours.
Bro. Billy stood at the front of the sanctuary greeting the large group of believers who had come.
"Why do you all continue to gather here week after week and particularly on a beautiful night like this when you could be doing other things outside?" There was silence for a few seconds and then people began to speak up.
"I come because I want to feel God's spirit," said one, " and I know I can feel it here.
"I come because I know God's people are going to be here and I like to fellowship with my brothers and sisters in Christ," said another.
Yet another spoke up, " I can feel the Spirit as soon as I walk in the door."
Several others spoke saying the same thing. Then we all gathered at the front to pray for the special needs of our world, our community, our homes and each other.
Our pastor purchased several copies of "Killing Christians" by Tom Doyle and encouraged us to take a copy and read it. Knowing how I love to read, I didn't have to be asked twice. Mr. Doyle has been on the front lines where these things happen and takes the readers to the secret meeting rooms of Christians in the Middle East; the torture rooms; the prisons and even the executions that are the "calling" of countless Muslims turned Christians. As I read, I ask myself if I would be willing to die for the cause of Christ. Would I be willing to walk hundreds of miles to share the gospel of Christ in the face of what could be my demise?
After the dismissal prayer, people stood around inside the sanctuary, visiting and laughing for quite sometime. As we walked outside, yet others were standing and visiting in the cool breeze.
As dusk settled on the land, people began to disburse; some getting in their cars; others in their pickup trucks and yet another on his motorcycle.
We left feeling that we had met with God and knowing, God willing, we would be meeting in that same place with our church family on Sunday morning.
Today we celebrate our independence. How long we will be able to celebrate our freedom no one knows. As of today, we have freedom to go where we like; celebrate with friends and family the way we like and worship where and when we want without the threat of death.
How ashamed we should be when we use any excuse not to gather to worship with our fellow Christians. And, how thankful we should be that we can gather and worship the One who died for us without any fear. There may come a day when freedom of worship in our country may be taken from us.
"Let us not neglect our church meetings, as some people do, but encourage and warn each other, especially now that the day of his coming back again is drawing near." Hebrews 10:25 (TLB)
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