You know, it’s funny how we Christians can read a Bible verse and immediately think, “That’s definitely for someone else.” Take Hebrews 10:25: “Do not forsake assembling together…” “Oh, that’s for those other people,” we tell ourselves. “I’m sure God’s not talking about me.”
Let’s break down the reasons we convince ourselves of this:
1. “My couch is my congregation.” Look, if your small group consists of you, your dog, and a coffee mug that says Blessed and Highly Caffeinated, you might be missing the point. Just saying.
2. “I can worship God in nature.” True, you can! But hiking doesn’t count as assembling unless the squirrels are forming a worship band.
3. “Church people are messy.” Yep, they are. But spoiler alert: so are you. That’s why we all need Jesus—and each other!
4. “I’m too busy.” Mmm, funny how you weren’t too busy to binge-watch that entire Netflix series last weekend. (No judgment, but God sees your “busy.”)
5. “I have my own way of doing church.” Cool, but is your “church” challenging you to grow, holding you accountable, or… just letting you chill in your PJs every Sunday?
Honestly, Hebrews 10:25 isn’t about checking a box or attending out of guilt—it’s about being part of a spiritual family. We’re all a little messy, busy, and awkward, but that’s kind of the beauty of it.
So how do we start obeying this verse?
• Pray about it. Ask God to help you find a church that He approves of. Big or small, there’s a body of believers for you.
• Commit to showing up. It’s not about perfection; it’s about being present. Even if it’s hard to get there, you’ll be glad you did.
• Plug in. Join a Bible study, volunteer, or at least learn someone’s name! Church isn’t just about sitting through a sermon—it’s about community.
• Start small if you need to. Haven’t been in years? No pressure—go once a month and build from there.
• Remember the purpose. It’s not just for you. Your presence encourages others, and who knows? You might be someone else’s answered prayer that day.
So next Sunday, maybe show up to “assemble” in person. And bring some donuts. (Okay, maybe not, but no one’s turning them down.)
