As a kid I worked hard to avoid going to church. Hiding under the bed, faking an illness, often hoping my parents would forget it was Sunday (which they never did).
It wasn’t that I didn’t like being there, it was more about wanting to do something else like sleeping or playing outside.
The childlike pattern went on for way too long, but in January 2005 everything changed. There was a church just down the street that Amy and I had heard was pretty good and a little voice inside me said, “if not now, when?” So we went and never looked back.
At Eastview Christian Church, we found authentic teaching and worship changing our hearts like never before as we came to a deeper understanding of the cost of sin and the value of grace.
From the first time we went, we didn’t miss a Sunday (apart from being out of town) all the way until May 2018 when we packed up and moved out of the country. This “not missing” had nothing to do with checking a box, no bonus points with God, nor from anyone. We longed to go. We loved to go.
Last week I took the opportunity to travel back to the USA. First stop, Normal Illinois and then directly to Eastview for their night of worship on Good Friday, then back again on Easter Sunday.
There were many joyful reunions; big extended warm hugs with tears of joy and lots of smiles. Most important, once again I felt at home, in my Father’s house. Heaven will have similar feelings and realizations. Truth, peace, joy, praise, love, and awestruck wonder as the name of Jesus Christ is proclaimed as King of Kings.
Please take the time to read Luke 2. It is rich with content. The birth of Jesus, angels speaking, prophecy fulfillment, insights into Jesus as a young boy and much more!
Luke 2:41-51 provides an account of Jesus at age 12 going missing then being found by his parents in the temple.
And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” (Luke 2:49)
Jesus had an earthly mother and father, but he also knew of his Father in Heaven and he also considered the temple “his father’s house”. Physically I do not believe there is anything super spiritual the structure of our churches; what is important is what happens inside and the life change as the people live out what was taught.
There’s a song that we joyfully sing from our couch as we watch eastview.church online and have sung many times there in person. It is a song about our identity, not what the world tells us but who God says we are.
It acknowledges our Father’s house as a place for us.
Who the Son sets free
Oh is free indeed
I’m a child of God
Yes I am
In my Father’s house
There’s a place for me
I’m a child of God
Yes I am (Who You Say I Am – Hillsong Worship)
Here’s a link to the full song on YouTube: Who You Say I Am. Powerful lyrics and all powerful object of worship. Praise God.