Keep Coming Back
Normally this particular meeting takes place in a church basement with participants seated on folding chairs, drinking coffee and eating cookies. The virus this year had called for a change in routine. The Zoom room held a variety of people: men, women, young adults. Some of whom were weathered by time. Each having a story as varied as their appearance. They all had at least one thing in common, before speaking or sharing or making any comments, they introduced themselves by first name only and made a clear statement: “I am alcoholic.”
This was a special night. My friend and one other attendee were celebrating. This meeting was an open meeting, meaning anyone could attend whether they were an alcoholic or not. I joined the meeting that night to support my friend and acknowledge the accomplishment of 8 years of sobriety.
The meeting was sweet in so many ways. People shared and poured out their hearts. The two people celebrating each took a turn in sharing their experience, strength and hope and whatever was on their hearts in respect to their anniversary celebration. Others then shared about their own lives and in what ways those celebrating that night had positively affected their life. Each speaker always ended with a congratulatory comment.
Throughout the meeting and at the end, the phrase, “Keep coming back.” was repeated often.
Prior to the meeting, it had been explained to me that “how it works”: recovery and spiritual growth, which is key to long term sobriety, both physical and emotional. The meeting is for those gathered to support each other. They rely on each other based on their experience, how they went from living with a spiritual malady, and then growing along spiritual lines. There is no spiritual recovery and growth when one is alone. It happens through sharing, encouragement and very consistent meeting and support.
I left the meeting that night wondering if this format could be or should be used in our Christian gathering: celebrating each other and our years of following Christ as well as sharing our story and our heart with fellow believers. To be encouraged by other Christians in our walk and hearing how we have affected them and their lives. Finally, being reminded to “Keep coming back.”.
In today’s church community, it can be easy to be a “passer by”, being on the peripheral edges of faith and never being fully drawn in. For me, Christ became real and personal when I finally shared all my struggles and past sins with another Christian who listen and did not judge and simply encouraged me in finding the right scripture to guide me into the arms of Jesus.
The Bible speaks to this topic throughout the New Testament.
Hebrews 10:24-25:“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”
Galatians 6:2: “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”
Ecclesiates 4:9-12a: “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow.”
Clearly God did not intend us to be the Lone Rangers is His kingdom. Instead we are to be encouragers and be willing to build each other up and share our struggles.
And there is no doubt that God’s perspective is for us to keep coming back!
JW