I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord.” –Psalm 122 (New Living Translation)

Jason M. Alexandre, Voices Against the Grain Devotional Writer

This scripture marks the excitement a Christian could potentially experience when coming to a worship service i.e., church. One might not see the importance of going to church regularly but it is absolutely essential and crucial to growing in Christ. At church you have the opportunity to witness and experience Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit through the fellowship with other Christian believers. For the Bible says, “If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you. For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.”–Matthew 18:19-20 

Somebody said to me recently, “There’s a bunch of hypocrites in the church. I’m looking for the perfect church.” Well friend, the truth is if you’re looking for a perfect church you will never find one and miss out on wonderful blessings. If there was a perfect church, it would stop being perfect the moment you and I walked in. Instead we must do our part and seek to join the body of Christ (Church) in the process of maturing and becoming more like Christ ourselves. Then over time, although not perfect, that church will be perfect just for you.

We are all in this together. We ought to help one another. The gifts that God gave to you are needed for the body of Christ to continue functioning properly. No person is more important than the other in the church. “But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, everyone of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.” –1 Corinthians 12:18-26    

Friend, your presence is needed in the church. You are very important! Whatever you can do to further the Kingdom of God, he will honor you for it. The janitor’s position is no greater than the Pastor’s position! Serve out of a love for Christ and his people and you will find unspeakable joy and find the difference in a church experience than a staying at home worship experience. Amen. God Bless you!

-Jason M. Alexandre

About Jason M. Alexandre

Jason Melchizedek Alexandre was born on November 29, 1989 in Brooklyn, New York. However, at two years old he and his family moved to Philadelphia, PA. Later, Jason moved to Limerick, PA where he now resides. Jason is currently working toward obtaining his Master of Social Work degree at Widener University. Although Jason’s career is Social Work, his spiritual passion is missions. Jason believes in actively answering the great commission call Jesus gave all Christians for the gospel to be spread from nation to nation. On a yearly basis, Jason primarily goes to Haiti on a mission trip with Haiti Christianity Inc. Each year Haiti Christianity visits different cities and/or villages in Haiti bringing children educational supplies, clothes, and medical supplies. They also facilitate conferences in which bible study, budgeting tips, financial planning and most importantly evangelization takes place. Jason is currently their public relations director. Jason’s vision is for the gospel to continue to be spread throughout the world and believes it is Christian’s responsibility to carry out this mission effectively.