Time was of no concern; there were plenty of hours to linger and enjoy the summer activity offerings at camp. Lunch had been served, eaten, and cleared up. Swimming attire was donned and towels grabbed as our children delighted themselves with the thought of playing with new-found-friends at the swimming pond. Chattering and walking with purpose, my kids were on a mission, and we, my husband and I, were following behind…. delighted in their delight!
Approaching the swim hole, one of my daughters called out, “We’re the first ones here!” I could see her eye-up the available inner-tube and make a rush to jump into the water and claim it. The stillness of the water was broken, a great splash was made, and she swam onto the tube. The rest of the family just sat on the beach end of the pond and quietly watched, somewhat mesmerized, by the quietness of the area at that particular moment. Several moments passed and time seemed to stand still; only the occasional rustle of the leaves on the trees nearby could be heard.
What I thought to be a peaceful stretch of time — my daughter thought to be a tense stretch of time filled with much anticipation. She sliced into time like a knife, and with exasperation rushing out of her mouth, she exclaimed with all sense of mournfulness, ” It’s no fun in the pond alone!”
It was a pitiful sight. I stood, offering no consolation and instead my thoughts meandered to consideration of fellowship within the church. She is so right. It is just like that; no fun, no encouragement, no delight when we are alone in the pond of our Christian walk.
Hebrews 10:24-25 tells us, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
God desires and intends for us to meet together, be together, and thereby encourage one another. It is fun (!) to be in the company of like minded people. It is necessary fuel for service. It is as simple as that.
This life distracts us, and pulls us, and tempts us to go, and do, and be involved, in a great many things. And we can be, at times, neglectful of the better thing: fellowship. When we neglect fellowship, we set up for ourselves our own forlorn slump in the tube… alone. As well, we set the stage for fellow brothers and sisters to be sitting in the pond alone, woeful and wondering where everyone is.
The chattering of other children grew louder and louder as more families arrived at the swim hole. Gleeful screeches and cannon-ball splashes brought laughter and smiles to my daughter. Quickly she engaged in the play and began joyful conversations. Fellow swimmers spurred on the fun, encouraged the blossoming friendships, and a good time was had by all.
And that ‘s how it is in the church. The more we meet and greet and consider how we may encourage one another, we spur one another on in our walks with the LORD. So I challenge you dear reader, to get involved and stay involved in the fellowship of believers; spur and be spurred!
Just look at the picture above — you do not want to look like that!
Always a Song of Hope 