Having a sense of belonging to something is a very natural feeling. And in life there are so many things to which we can belong. There is our family, the spouse we marry and that brings and even widening circle of relatives.
Then there are friends, co-workers and if that isn’t enough there are social organizations. One can pretty much find so many options to have a sense of belonging is that is one’s desire.
I didn’t mention being a member of a given house of worship. And that was from my view for good reason. That’s because to me there are two levels to being “among” believers.
First there is the being a member of a given church. That is an option in some ways, although if we are listening to the Lord’s spirit he will guide us to the house of worship where he desires us to fellowship or even to the “place” where he seeks us to serve.
But the problem is that we sometimes prefer to choose a church by some standard other than god being the one making the choice. We can go because they have a great children’s church, lots of social activities or even because we enjoy the teaching. All are valid reasons in the natural, but may have nothing to do with God’s will for our lives.
But for the believer who finds value in a given house of worship, it can be a wonderful experience if you manage to fit into the social pulse of that environment. And for an hour or two a week you can know the pure fantasy of being accepted to whatever degree that climate succeeds on convincing you they care. I say that because I’ve been in plenty of churches where “among” was more like being a member of an elite group. And you were allowed to participate, but that didn’t always mean you were accepted.
However all of that is the common dynamic of Christian experience. What is more difficult is the second level of being among. And that is where one is part of the family of god, but the Lord calls you to a given “place” that may or may not even have walls.
That time of calling to a ministry that doesn’t have any social window dressing will not have the appeal of a regular house of worship. But it doesn’t mean it isn’t important to the Lord. It just is harder at times to find people willing to be obedient to such ministries where the first question answered is not what do I get out of it.
Still it is God’s right to call us as he desires. And obedience should give priority to listening to God’s spirit in terms of where he would send us. That doesn’t mean it will always make sense at the time and that we can expect it to translate into anyone else knowing about it either.
Such realities of a calling can be difficult for some to accept. And of course God doesn’t lead everyone to such a calling. But more perhaps than are willing to listen, which is a question on each believer can truly answer within their own spirit.
May God grant us the light to see first of all when he guides us to the place he seeks for us. And second for the obedience and faith to be willing to follow!