A Tale of Two Churches
In 2011, I had the opportunity to tour Savannah, GA. The city was warm, historic and beautiful. I couldn't get enough of the stately homes with their grand furnishings. We saw notable cathedrals, too. One in particular struck me...the towering edifice, massive marble columns and soaring steeple. The interiors were equally impressive, with alabaster floors, gold and silver icons, loads of stained glass.
As we returned to our hotel after dinner one night, we passed a small clapboard building. It was a historic church, too, but much less elaborate; no fancy spires or columns. A simple wooden sign out front gave the information about when the church was built and the congregation that inhabited it. Most people would think these two churches had nothing in common, and they'd be right.
While the massive cathedral was clinically clean, it was quiet as a tomb. No children's laughter spilled out of the classrooms and there was no one setting up tables in the fellowship hall.
The humble church, on the other hand, was teeming with activity on a weeknight. Lively music filled the sanctuary, as families clambered up the concrete steps, their arms laden with covered dishes.
Revelation 2:8 tells of the church in Smyrna that was small and poor and persecuted. John encouraged them to be faithful unto death, for God would grant them a crown of life for their efforts.
I'm not saying that the people in the beautiful building aren't serving God. All I'm saying is, bloom where you're planted. If God has placed you in a small congregation, dig in and serve.
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Female in Motion Health Update: Allergy season is in full swing! In other news, I have a big challenge ahead, that I'm really looking forward to. I'll keep you posted.
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Notable Quote:
"We are building many splendid churches in this country, but we are not providing leaders to run them. I would rather have a wooden church with a splendid parson than a splendid church with a wooden parson."--Samuel Smith Drury
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