Look Past the Hurts
The following is an excerpt from Keely’s new book,
“More Than A Song: Worship is the Relentless Pursuit of the Lover of our Soul.”
Do not let past hurts keep you from obeying God to gather together weekly at a local church. Like it or not, it is a Biblical command, and not attending church is disobedience. However, if you are struggling with that, ask the Holy Spirit to help you forgive, heal, and move on. Ask Him to lead you to a church. The reality is that if you were hurt in a church, you will only heal in a church. Disconnecting and deconstructing is not the answer.
Often we desire never to be hurt again but fail to realize that people mess up. You will be hurt again, as no one is perfect, including you! This does not give us an excuse to forsake gathering together as a part of our worship. Be quick to forgive and put your attention and focus back on God when you experience hurt.
Maybe, in your pain, you have deemed the church as a den of hypocrites. I have met many people who refuse to attend church because of hypocrisy. Not only do I think this is an unfair analysis, especially from fellow followers of Jesus, but this is also illogical reasoning. Your local grocery store is full of hypocrites, but that does not stop you from going there. You see the value of what the store offers and go regardless. In the same way, we must say “enough!” with petulant excuses for why you can’t attend church. Look past the hurts and receive your healing!
RESOLVE TO BE IN THE BODY
Often, the enemy understands the power and value of us gathering together better than we do. The devil knows that we are Jesus’ body and bride. That rotten devil will do everything he can to divide the church because a house divided against itself cannot stand (Mark 3:25.) It is time to fight for unity in the body of Christ! James 4:7 reads, “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” Your active participation in the local church is a submission to God and a weapon wielded against the enemy.
Too many people say they don’t need to go to church to worship and have a relationship with God. While that may be true, it is biblically inaccurate. We do have a personal relationship with Jesus, but we are called to be a part of a corporate gathering. In the natural, when one part of the body rebels and goes against its design we call it cancerous. I would submit to you that refusing to be a part of a church is a cancerous mindset that needs to be rooted out.
We gather together to learn, build each other up, pray for one another, and lift up His holy name. Nothing is more beautiful than a group of people focusing on Jesus in worship. The dancing, raising of hands, kneeling, and worship of the redeemed is unlike anything else. God desires a people who will lay down their pain, hurt, and agenda to be a part of His body. We are created for community. When we obey God by prioritizing corporate gatherings, we worship Him in a greater measure than we can alone!
