What do we take for granted? What are some things or people that we fail to properly appreciate or notice? For instance:
Air conditioning (in cars/ homes): I remember fans in windows as kids
Indoor bathrooms- People had outhouses in cold temps like this!
Be able to listen to whatever song you want whenever you want- Used to have to sit by our radio with cassette waiting for our favorite song to come on to hit record
Our internet is out right now and it is such a pain.
Being able to drive or fly anywhere you want within days.
Electricity! Have a power outage and see how much you appreciate being able to take a shower, cook food in the microwave, or turn on a light.
My wife: Amazing!
Could you imagine living in the 1800s or earlier and coming to the 2020s? Your minds would be blown. The list is extensive in Christianity. As we prepare for communion, I ask for you to join me in reading Hebrews 10:19-22:
19 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.
Could you imagine life before Jesus? The only way you could reach the Holy of Holies (or intimacy with God) was if you were a high priest and once a year you would pass the curtain in the temple to have a once-in-a-year opportunity to be near God.
When Christ died, that curtain was torn so that we could approach God (our amazingly beyond imagination creator) and be with Him every second of every day. We now have regular opportunities to draw near to Him!
Having communion weekly has been criticized by some because people say the higher frequency will cause us to take its meaning for granted. May that never be the case! May it be a strongly anticipated moment where the weekly reminders only strengthen our relationship with Him! Would you pray with me?
Jesus, thank you for being God and being our connection to God. Holy Spirit, thank you for interceding for us when we can’t find the words. Father, now, help us not to miss the significance of this moment with you. Help us appreciate faith, hope, and love. Faith: Faith means being sure of the things we hope for. And faith means knowing that something is real even if we do not see it. Hope: That you will come through. Hope for miracles. Love: that we will grow in our abilities to be patient, kind, not envious or boastful, or rude, not self-seeking, and not keep a record of wrongs. Always trust, hope, always persevere. Help us to never fail. More of you. Less of us.
