The Snapshot

1 Corinthians 16:19
The churches here in the province of Asia send greetings in the Lord, as do Aquila and Priscilla and all the others who gather in their home for church meetings. (NLT)

When we first get to meet someone, like our first date, we are on out best behavior. They get to see the person we want them to know about. Much is not on the surface. They only get to know a snapshot of us. Too often it is that snapshot many a marriage starts off at. It is over time that the real people begin to surface; that the other pictures begin to develop.

It is through relationship we get to know each other. We may know of many, but only on the surface; only in that snapshot.

In churches we may walk around and shake people's hands on Sunday morning. We say "good morning" and move on to the next. Afterwards we may sit and chat with some who we have gotten to know. Our relationships are at church on Sundays and perhaps at other church meetings during the week. They are a series of snapshots forming a beautiful scrapbook, but they never get to really know us.

When the body of Christ, the church, meets in homes and shares meals and birthdays and death and day to day challenges together, they become a family of believers. The snapshots turn into full length live films as the real people face difficult and happy times together.

Does this mean we must abandon the church buildings and skater to homes? Not necessarily, but we could gather in small groups so we can really build relationships with a group of believers. Then we can gather on Sundays in a large congregation to listen to the Word and praise God.