Do the pews seem emptier today? As you scan the auditorium, you might notice “pockets” that aren’t usually empty. We know from passages like Acts 2:42 how important it is for Christians to meet together regularly!

“Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.” (Acts 2:44–47, NKJV)

We look to passages like Hebrews 10:24-25 to show how we need to be togehter in order to proactively seek oppurtunitites to encourage one another.

There are many reasons to gather together: to sing, to pray, to encourage, to comfort, among many others.

But there is also a reason to be apart.

The apostle Paul is well known for his mission work, specifically in planting churches and helping them grow into maturity. The love he had for the brethren is so celarly seen in his words to the church at Thessalonica, “But we, brethren, having been taken away from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavored more eagerly to see your face with great desire.” (1 Thessalonians 2:17, NKJV) Again he writes to the brethren at Philippi, saying “Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel,” (Philippians 1:27, NKJV) and “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;” (Philippians 2:12, NKJV)

What becomes clear in exampling Paul’s example is that when you are WITH the brethren, encourage there. There are times when you must be apart.

This week is the beginning of “Spring Break season.” Most of our college students will not be here. Young families and educators will come and go in the coming weeks. We’ll likely see visitors who are enjoying nearby tourist attractions. Above all, we will miss our church family in their absence.

But in a final word of encouragement, allow me to suggest that we reframe their “absence”. They are not simple “not here,” rather they are “there.”

Just as some of our college students are sharing the Gospel in Jamaica, others are shinning their light wherever their journeys take them. We are the light of the world (Matt 5:14) wherever that may be.

Let your light shine!