If you have ever cooked over a charcoal grill, you know what happens when the coals are spread apart. A few coals may still have some heat, but they do not burn as well when they are separated. When the coals are pushed together, they share their heat. One coal helps another stay hot, and together they create the kind of fire needed to cook the meal. There is a lesson in that picture for the Christian.

God never intended for us to live the Christian life by ourselves. We need one another. Hebrews 10:24-25 reminds us to consider one another, encourage one another, and not forsake our assembling together. The church is not simply a place we attend. It is a family of people who need each other.

When we begin to drift away from the church, we often do not notice what is happening right away. Just like a coal that is moved away from the fire, we may remain warm for a while. We may still pray. We may still read our Bible. We may still talk about our faith. But slowly, the heat begins to fade and that is why being connected to the church matters.

We need the encouragement of other Christians when life is difficult. We need someone to remind us of God’s promises when we are discouraged. We need brothers and sisters who will pray with us, worship with us, serve with us, and sometimes lovingly correct us when we begin to wander. Paul described the church as a body in 1 Corinthians 12. Every member has a place, and every member matters. A hand cannot say it does not need the rest of the body. In the same way, we should never convince ourselves that we do not need the church.

There will be times when you feel tired. There will be times when you are discouraged. There will even be times when you would rather stay home than gather with God’s people. Those may be the very times when you need the church the most. Stay close to the fire.

Stay connected to God’s people. Worship together. Serve together. Pray together. Encourage one another. When we remain close, we help each other stay strong. A single coal can grow cold but coals together can keep a fire burning. So can God’s people.

By: Justin Odom