The gift of fellowship through Jesus

When a loved one dies, it's always deeply painful. I had just returned from an intense tour when I received the sad news that my uncle had passed away.

The morning of the funeral, I had this thought as I was getting ready: "Today I'll see my relatives again—it's crazy how long it's been since I've seen them! I wonder…does it have to take someone passing away for us to finally get together and have a time of fellowship?"

The thought saddened me because I love all the members of my extended family, and I know they love me too. But "life is always so busy…you know how it is."

Here's another somber thought that came on the heels of the first: God has always been there from the beginning (His Word says, "In Him was life…" (John 1:4, NIV)!), but something always seems to come between God and us. "Life is always so busy…you know how it is."

Yet, out of pure longing and love for us, God allowed His only Son to die for us: "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16, NIV)

He destroyed everything separating us! Because of Jesus' sacrifice, anyone who believes in Him can have fellowship with Him and others. What a gift! And what's more, this incredible gift isn't just available at Easter, for example, when we talk about His death in church, but at any time—personally—with Jesus Himself! 1 John 1:7 says, "If we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin."

Be careful that the "life is always so busy…you know how it is" mindset doesn't rob you of that communion. Don't wait for a funeral or unexpected event to remind you of the possibility of communion with HIM. Don't let your perceived lack of time steal what the God of eternity wants to give you!

How about taking a moment of communion with Him, even right now? Just you and Him? He is just a prayer away! :-)

You are a miracle!

Dèborah