LIFE=DEVOTION TO GOD (2/15)

"And all the believer's devoted themselves to... fellowship...," Acts 2:42

Do you remember your first church experience? I do. I was only an 8 year old boy. I went to Bothell Baptist Church and sat in the chair looking around this huge room, at least it was huge to me. After a few times going I got more comfortable, with the floor. I would lie on my back and count the ceiling tiles and fidget. I'd draw pictures on the offering envelopes, bulletins and try to sprawl out over the neighboring chairs to take a nap. At some point mom sent me to kids ministry and all I can remember is the smell. It was smelly like an old musty barn, but it didn't matter because I made friends. Somewhere there was this transition for my family from the crowd (attendance) to the community (fellowship), a most important transition.

To devote myself to God I must devote myself to others, fellowship. I think sometimes I confuse the "who" with the "where." When I only look at the "who" I inadvertently make assumptions that can lead me down the wrong path. Instead, I have to consider the "where." I must make every effort to engage in fellowship no matter "where" I am at. It's less about who I fellowship with and more about where I fellowship.

A lot of people want to be with a certain "who" or they want to be in "this" crowd, or hang with certain people. Even as we age it can still be like High School with cliques and other immaturity. Crowds can be like that, but fellowship is about devotion to God. Being devoted to God looks beyond the who and takes into consideration where. When we put the externals in check and devote ourselves to God we discover the brand new world of fellowship. Only then can we move from the Crowd into the Community.

Where are you fellowshipping regularly? Church? Reach Teams? Coffee Shops? Restaurants? Sports Teams? Book Clubs? On-line?