Let me be straight with you right off the bat, I do believe church is important and I do believe we should attend a good, strong bible-centered church when possible. Why? Because we all need the fellowship and strength of other Christians to help us navigate through on our Christian life. Being a Christian in today’s world is tough enough without having the support of other fellow believers.
Having said that, there are situations when attending church is not always possible. My wife was a nurse for years before retirement and her job often required weekend work. I have known other first responders and other professions that sometimes require weekend work. I have also known people who physically cannot leave their home and attend church due to illness or caring for loved ones. My mom was one such example. I have also know others who have been tremendously hurt by people in the church and just don’t feel comfortable attending. I have been in that boat myself and it took me years to start attending again.
If you find yourself in one of the above situations and aren’t currently attending church, always remember that your relationship with God is not confined to the walls of a church building. The church is not the building. The church is the people. There are numerous ways you can nurture your faith, outside the physical church, until such time as you might be able to physically attend again.
Vibrant Faith Outside the Pews
Nurturing a vibrant faith outside the pews begins with embracing the idea that God is present in every aspect of your life. Look for divine connections in nature, such as the beauty of a sunrise or the tranquility of a forest. Take a moment to appreciate the simple joys that surround you, like the laughter of loved ones or the warmth of a cup of tea. By being content and grateful, you can create a spiritual peace within yourselves,
Always make sure you are engaging in personal bible reading or bible studies as well as maintaining a strong prayer life. Doing so will keep your relationship with God as close as is possible. Perhaps a local church has an online community, podcast, or sermon streaming events where you can participate. When attending a physical church just isn’t possible, it doesn’t mean your relationship with God can’t be strong. Look for opportunities when God might be leading you to call someone or write a letter or card to someone to encourage them—or sometimes be encouraged yourself. God can still use you to minister to others even when you can’t leave your home.
Remember, wherever you are, God is with you, guiding and supporting you every step of the way.
