Grits

Some things always come in groups. They just don't come by themselves or if they do they are insignificant. Only as a group is it powerful.

One of the hallmarks to my past is Louisiana food: things like grits. I love the story of the Yankee who walks into a Louisiana diner and orders the lunch special which comes with grits. He asks the waitress, "What's a grit?" She says in her Louisiana drawl, "They're GRITS honey. They don't come by themselves."

Neither do Christians. I may have a personal relationship with Christ, but Christians don't come by themselves. It's a group thing. Think of the symbols Jesus used when talking about his followers: flock, family, city, church (which means "an assembly of those who are called"). What's the common characteristic of these? They are plural. It's a group thing. We don't come by ourselves.

I've been stunned by the movement that says we don't need to meet together anymore. "We can see church via satellite in the privacy of our homes--solo." You might see the "church" but to be the "church" means we have to get together often. This isn't my idea. It's God's idea. For centuries, the "church" has gathered and found courage, refuge and hope. Maybe God knew what He was talking about.

I'm so excited to be a part of community of faith that understands this. Most of our folks here at SCCC understand the power that comes from connecting with others.