Devotionals

---

Lost Ways


Tom knelt one last time at the altar of his childhood. Sixty years and now, no tomorrow. How could it be that a building, once so alive with activity, had grown dark and still? His thoughts reached back to those days when His grandmother would lead him by the hand each Sunday morning to church. They never missed a Sunday walking those three blocks together. Even when grandpa was sleeping, near death, in the dining room and though she had been up all night trying to keep him comfortable; with the morning light came the usual Sunday morning preparations and departure.

Oh the memories… Small white robes with red ties for the children's choir, potlucks, and banquets in Fellowship Hall, Boy Scout meetings, baptisms, weddings, and funerals. There had been basketball games in the gym and plays and skits on the stage. There were the late-night discussion groups during his youth and early-morning prayer breakfasts as a man. Everything in his life had revolved around this building. Now it was closing; soon to be torn down.

He remembered, not too long ago, how vibrant and alive the congregation seemed. And, yet, there were some early warning signs. First, a pastor arrived with ideas for change that were not accepted, then those terrible finance team meetings he had sat through as decision after decision was made to trim staff and delete programs. Anger filled their lives instead of love. Lines were drawn. Separation grew. Some of the people spoke words of reaching out, inviting, and saving souls. Others focused on history, tradition, and preservation. New ideas came and more people left. Pastors retired early and church debt grew. Attendance dwindled. Children were no longer seen running in the hallways.

What had happened? Was it simply a sign of the times? Is it true no one needs church now days? Maybe it was caused by the growing city. Why would people want to come all the way downtown to an old, broken-down building when there are newer and bigger church buildings closer to their homes in the suburbs? Perhaps everyone is too busy and they need Sundays to relax at home. Maybe TV and the Internet are to blame.

As he rose from the altar and looked once more at the stain glass windows of the disciples, he sensed a presence he had not felt for so long. "Where have you been, my son?"

He hadn't really heard anything; it was just a question that had popped into his head. Where had he been? Hadn't he always been there? But, of course, he knew what was meant. It was a habit forgotten. With all the fighting and bickering in church meetings and with all the discontent and divisive opinions, prayer, true prayer, had slipped to the wayside.

As he walked out of the building that one last time he came to know. All questions were answered. He would remember this lesson at his new church home. God builds churches. He inspires, teaches, guides, and grows them. Without God healing the hurts and bridging the gaps, without the unifying love of Jesus in all activities, a church ceases to have purpose. The bickering had taken the place of prayer and when that happened, God could do no more.

Closing Prayer:

Blessed Lord, The evidence of your love for us transcends the ages. Everything you have done for us shows that you are providing a pathway to righteousness. From the Psalms that proclaim your glory to the last words in the Bible that remind us of your promises, the evidence is clear: Your light shines forth for your faithful. Jesus prayed in our behalf for unity so we could build your kingdom by spreading the word of your love and grace throughout the world. Yet, we falter and stumble. Meetings take the place of prayer groups. Money is spent on buildings instead of feeding the hungry and clothing the poor. Arguments of worship styles and ministry choices create gaps within church families, and frustrations build. Instead of building, we argue. Instead of singing, we pout. Gracious Lord, heal us. Remember the prayer of Jesus and unite us all in your spirit. We pray this because we know that when you are involved, when you are at the center of everything we do, miracles happen – lives are changed. Unify us, Lord God so we can become more capable of pointing the world to you and the love that is available through your son, Jesus Christ. In His name we pray, Amen.

Inspired by John 17:20-26

---

PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE