Get In The Groove

Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going.
Ecclesiastes 9:10

I have one student who is particularly observant. Recently he noticed a small groove in the top of a door frame. A little investigation revealed that the door has a nail sticking up at the very top of it, and this nail had created the indentation. I’m guessing the nail forced its way in there with a single hard closing of the door.

Finding our place in a local church, or in any new group of people, is not that easy. But we do all need a place. A few years ago I became part of a church that was MUCH bigger than any I had ever been a permanent part of in the past. It was a different experience. You can’t get to know everybody as quickly when the group has 300 people as opposed to 50. I know there are MUCH larger churches even than that, churches so large there is really no hope of knowing everybody. Still, it’s important to find our place, to create a groove for ourselves that allows us to be part of the fellowship and part of the work.

It is possible to attend the same church for years and years but never “find your groove.” Personally I don’t believe this is what God meant for church life to be like. The Bible describes a great number of responsibilities that believers have toward one another, and unless we develop personal connections with each other, most of those responsibilities are unlikely to be carried out at all.

You might be thinking you shouldn’t have to force your way in, like the nail at the top of that door. You may think that everyone should welcome you and make that space for you, and I won’t argue with you about that. But sometimes people don’t do what they should. Sometimes in large groups people fall prey to the “someone else will do it” mentality. So go ahead and make your own groove. Find your place. Keep coming, keep participating, and look for others around you who might also be waiting for someone to open up a space for them. What a shame it would be to complain about what others are not doing for us, then fail to do those things for others! Even if you’re the new person, before you know it, there will be someone newer than you, and you can make it your mission to give them the welcome you feel you should have had, setting an example that might help the whole group to improve in that area.

Finding your place in a group is wonderful, but the problem with grooves is how easily they turn into ruts. When we’re stuck in a rut we’re often unable to see and take on new opportunities and challenges. We also need to avoid getting stuck in a people rut, only ever talking to or spending time with the same small sub-group of folks. I confess this is hard for me. I’m not naturally very outgoing. It’s hard to approach someone new and strike up a conversation. But I must say that even shy people can learn to do it. You will learn to do it when you realize that it is your work as a Christian to reach out to people. Introverts don’t have to reach out the same way an extrovert might, but anyone can offer a smile, show interest in another person by asking a few questions, get them talking about themselves.

A lot of congregations have a “candy man” or a “candy lady.” Handing out candy is one of the ways these sweet folks seek to make connections with others. They’ve created this groove for themselves. Usually handing out candy is not the only aspect to their Christian work; any one person may have several grooves. But if you don’t have even one, make that your goal— to carve out a space where you can fit in and feel at home and be a part of things.

Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.
James 4:17

Dear God, I know you designed Your church to be a family, a body, where everyone is needed and loved and has a job to do. Please help me when I struggle to find my place. Forgive me for times I may have complained or kept myself at a distance from others. And use me, Lord, to help others who may be struggling to find their place. In Jesus’s name, Amen.

by Christie Cole Atkins