Longing for Fellowship

But since we were torn away from you, brothers, for a short time, in person not in heart, we endeavored the more eagerly and with great desire to see you face to face, because we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, again and again—but Satan hindered us. For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? For you are our glory and joy.

1 Thessalonians 2: 17-18

Do you have friends who you can call your glory and your joy? These types of friends seem rare now of days. Friendship has become a cheap commodity. Thanks to social media, we can keep in touch with hundreds of people without spending quality time with them. I am not against social networking. I actually believe God has used the Internet to advance His kingdom and grow His church. However, I realize that unifying fellowship happens face to face.

 

I have some friends who I sorely miss even though I can contact them by phone or e-mail any time of the day. I desire to worship with them. I desire to eat communion with them. Satan has hindered our meetings because He knows that "where three or more are gathered in His name, there God is in the midst". I believe the word "gathered" is purposeful. True communion happens when we gather. We must come together to truly experience the Spirit of unity and fellowship. The Apostle Paul longed to visit his churches because he knew the power of close community. 

As the above verse states, I will boast about my friends at Christ's return. I doubt I will tell God about how inventive my friend's Facebook status was yesterday. I will boast that we were a family who could freely encounter the Spirit together. The congregation of believers is precious, and the loss of it can cause one to mourn. Paul mentions his own feelings of loss in some of his epistles. I can relate to his longing for fellowship.