Church Community

Tonight I had the amazing privelage that I receive every Sunday to be apart of my home church community known as The River. For the first time in quite some time, I felt God. My experience wasn't in being "slain in the spirit" or a warm fuzzy emotional experience but it was an authentic encompassing of God and his rich love for his people. It may seem simple and unextraordinary but tonight after our gathering, we went over to Pastor Sam's house. It seems weird to say "Pastor Sam" because I see him as more of a great friend/mentor than a person in high authority who sets standards impossible for me to grasp. In my background, I am used to pastors who put on one mask and speak the "church" talk while they are in service but then outside of service they are completely different. I have finally found a church that I feel God smiles upon not only in my life but in all the lives involved in The River. Tonight, I saw God in kids laughter and crying as they played and interacted with one another in their pajamas. I saw God in cheerful anticipation of the Arizona Cardinals running down the field for a touchdown.
I felt God in the atmosphere of everyone having harmony with one another rather than dischord. These precious moments in our lives are easily taken for granted. We are learning in our gatherings about being so distracted by the noise in our lives that we ignore what really matters. We allow school, work, and other activities to take priority over so many important things in our lives. If you get the chance, just take a moment to be still and listen to creation outside or the suttle sounds late at night in your house. Take time to breathe in what God is doing around you at any given moment. Be quiet and listen to what God might be trying to instill or communicate to you.