May 5, 2026
Do not neglect to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Hebrews 10:25
Yesterday was the day recognized as International Star Wars day (May the Fourth Be With You). As I prepared for the gathering of our young men’s small group, I was asked if we had a devotional book we could reference for our evening meeting. As luck would have it, I received a book in college entitled… Christian Wisdom of the Jedi Masters. We read the chapter called, “Pursue God in the Company of Friends.” It was suggested in this chapter that God’s trinitarian nature is itself an indicator that God creates us for relationship. God in three persons is already a creator, sustainer, and redeemer, so we are created for, sustained in, and redeemed to continue relationships.
Christ then gives us the singular command to love one another as he loved us, teaching about reconciliation of us to God, but also one another, and establishing the Church. By giving us the mission of being his body in the world as the Church, and sustained by the promised Spirit to come, Jesus confirms that in creation it was not good for us to be alone, and sends us in groups, to seek and save, building community. And we are still called to this ongoing mission of welcome and gathering together.
Gathering is not then a byproduct of sharing the same faith, beliefs, ideas, or practices, but it is the tool that encourages, nurtures, tests, challenges, and ultimately embodies our faith. Being a community of friends is not an accidental outcome of finding people who are similar to us, but a spiritual practice of seeking those with whom we share common ground and with whom we differ because it fulfills the call God gives us and the model Christ embodied. In those bonds, whether we are breaking bread, studying God’s word, sharing our burdens, celebrating our joys, or setting out to serve those in need, we’ve become the Church. And that is a force that surrounds us and binds us together.
Prayer
Lord, grant the peace, knowledge, and serenity that comes from living in harmony with the company of friends. Amen.
Rev. Brian Daoust
Login To Leave Comment