On the morning, two Sundays ago that I decided just in time to go to church, I was honest with myself.
I’d been waiting until conditions could be right to return. I’d been waiting for the church to be in agreement with me, to not require that I wear a mask.
Church that morning enveloped me in peace. The mask that I deplore because I deplore demands made of me
Invited a sweeter worship in.
The music, the prayer, my hands open in front of me, my joining in the singing despite my mask.
I wish it weren’t so; but, I tend to be self-conscious in a sanctuary. No surprise, I compare my worship to the worship of others and I worry if others are watching me, measuring whether my praise is big enough.
But, on that morning, before the message on humility and its meaning and worth, I allowed peace to come.
Peace that came through the Spirit leading me to be alone there in the socially distanced place, to close my eyes and be moved by “The Blessing”, to welcome the tears that came. To be aware of, overwhelmed by God’s peace.
Peace comes when we acknowledge our standing in relation to God.
Peace comes when we challenge ourselves to believe we should go when we don’t think we are able or don’t believe we belong.
Peace comes when we remember,
“I am weak but He is strong.” (Yes, Jesus loves me.)
Meekness leads to peace.
Meekness leads to great things.
“Now the man Moses was very meek, more than all people who were on the face of the earth.”
Numbers 12:3 ESV
My little circle of six feet in the sanctuary was inhabited by a sense of Holy that Sunday.
I had no idea that choosing not to be selfish, stubborn, self-righteous over a piece of cloth over my mouth, would bring me such peace.
“But the meek shall inherit the land and delight themselves in abundant peace.”
Psalm 37:11 ESV
And peace shall be mine again.
I will sing along.
“The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.”
Zephaniah 3:17 ESV
Joining others who are writing prompted by the word “church” here.
FMF Writing Prompt Link-up :: Church
Lisa Anne Tindal 
Convicting post. I loathe masks.
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Thank you. I loathe them as well.
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If you can’t go for you, go for me. My county will not allow us to meet inside, but because I work at a church I spend some time in the sanctuary during the week. It is usually alone (though sometimes another staff member will be there) which is quite different than a Sunday morning. Yesterday I found myself dusting the pews as if I were giving a loved one a back massage. The dust showed all the Sundays we haven’t met together, and I just couldn’t have that. I wanted that space ready for bodies – whenever that will be.
Amie, FMF #15
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Amie, what a sweet sacrifice you’re offering as you prepared the space for worshipers. Praying that will be soon.
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This was so honest and beautifully written – thank you. We are still not able to meet in a building, smaller groups outdoors only, which is a blessing, but the weather is breaking and getting cooler….I am so encouraged to hear that you were able to be still in God’s presence even with the restrictions, brings hope! fmf#9
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Our church has been doing an outdoor and an indoor service for the past several weeks. The outdoor service has the benefit that masks aren’t required, and also has such a natural conversational appeal. Being on the worship team, I and my family also attend the indoor mask-required service when we do music, and as much as I hate wearing the mask and hate that everyone else has to wear a mask, I know God is speaking and moving there too. I pray that the mask requirements will be lifted by the time we need to move both services indoors. I love my Savior and my church family more than I hate that mask though. 🙂
Visiting from FMF#25
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