I went to church by myself... here's what happened.

My son has been sick lately, so we kept him home from church as to not contaminate the nursery.

I was however feeling fine so my husband suggested I go to church by myself that morning, and I GLADLY accepted the offer. I secretly, ok maybe not so secretly, LOVE going to church by myself on occasion. I'm not distracted by checking my phone to make sure my kid is ok in nursery. I'm not worried about worshipping because no one I know is around me (that shouldn't matter, and it's something I'm working on) but I am able to focus my whole attention on the service when I'm alone. Also it's an amazing introvert recharge! :)

I'll be honest I sat in my vehicle about 10 min before deciding it was time to go in, and JUST at that moment, as I was walking into the church a dear friend who gives the BEST hugs, was walking out. It turned out to be EXACTLY what I needed. Go hug someone today!

The pastor spoke and at the beginning of the message I wasn't taking notes, but as he continued to talk I got out my pen because it was one of those sermons where you feel like he's talking DIRECTLY to you!

He spoke about how Jesus was dishonored, misunderstood, mocked and excluded. His brothers were jealous of him, The very people he lived with day to day did not understand him! Oh how I've felt that in my life before! I grew up with lots of "friends" but never fit anywhere. I came from a divorced home, and while I KNOW both my parents and step dad love me now I didn't always see it then.

Recently my yoga instructor talked about being set apart and I have just CLUNG to that truth. That you aren't supposed to fit in when you are following the calling God has on your life.

30 And so those whom God set apart, he called; and those he called, he put right with himself, and he shared his glory with them.

31 In view of all this, what can we say? If God is for us, who can be against us?

32 Certainly not God, who did not even keep back his own Son, but offered him for us all! He gave us his Son - will he not also freely give us all things? Romans 8:30-32

The pastor stopped speaking and said that he didn't plan to say this, but he wanted to anyway, and I wrote it down in BOLD, "What you lack at home, God can make up for in other people." It was so so true! The more I step out of my comfort zone and continue to be bold for God the more I realize how God filled voids in my life with his love through other people. Just another confirmation of how much we need others!

There's a saying going around Facebook right now about telling your story. No matter how you have to yell it, whisper it, write it. And the more you share it the more your tribe will come, and you'll find those that get you and support you. When I heard that phrase in church it made me think exactly this!

There's something so special that happens when you're living on mission for Christ, and you meet another person on mission for Christ. You are able to skip all the "surface level" stuff of what's your favorite color, where do you work etc etc. You can get right to the HEART stuff and that's such a BEAUTIFUL place to be with someone.

That's exactly what Jesus did. He came after the heart of specifically, his brother James who went from mocking and being jealous of Jesus to a believer, and not just a believer but a LEADER in the church! God can transform entire households through one person!

I learned a new word at church that day, oikos- extended family or network- the 8-15 people that you see on a regular basis.

God reaches US in hopes of reaching our oikos! The saving grace of Jesus Christ is for people CLOSE to us but FAR from God.

The pastor then went on to give a strategy for reaching our "Oikos" for Jesus. And it's not Bible thumping and forcing our opinions and thoughts on others. It's exactly the opposite, it's LOVE.

Prayer- we pray because only God can reach someone spiritually.

Care- our acts of love speak louder than our words. People won't care what we know about Jesus until they know we care about them!

Share- Because eventually through our caring God will open the door for us to share, to share our testimony! Our story of what God means to us.

Hearing this beautiful sermon right after challenging a group of ladies to step up and share their testimony with others was just like God was looking me right in the face saying, "well done good and faithful servant."

I also thought back to my own life, how I probably wouldn't have had the strength to go to church by myself if my dedicated mother hadn't taken me to church by herself growing up. When you see someone live that out all your young life you realize the importance of getting to church even if you have to go alone sometimes.

Who in your immediate circle needs Jesus? Who are you actively engaging in conversation about Jesus? Who are you loving? As you are around extended family for the holidays how can you be the hands and feet of Jesus to those that annoy and drain you?

God didn't call us to keep the love of Christ to ourselves! Pray, care and go share!!!

(Sermon credit to Steve Buckner Lead Pastor Dayspring Church Auburn IN)