The Silent Sermon

Good morning, .

I welcome you to the first day of this new week. For today's musing, here's a story that teaches us the importance of community.

The Story

A member of a certain church, who previously had been attending services regularly, stopped going. After a few weeks, the pastor decided to visit him. It was a chilly evening. The pastor found the man at home alone, sitting before a blazing fire.

Guessing the reason for his pastor's visit, the man welcomed him, led him to a comfortable chair near the fireplace and waited. The pastor made himself at home but said nothing. In the grave silence, he contemplated the dance of the flames around the burning logs.

After some minutes, the pastor took the fire tongs, carefully picked up a brightly burning ember and placed it to one side of the hearth all alone. Then he sat back in his chair, still silent. The host watched all this in quiet contemplation. As the one lone ember's flame flickered and diminished, there was a momentary glow and then its fire was no more.

Soon it was cold and dead. Not a word had been spoken since the initial greeting. The Pastor glanced at his watch and realized it was time to leave, he slowly stood up, picked up the cold, dead ember and placed it back in the middle of the fire. Immediately it began to glow, once more with the light and warmth of the burning coals around it.

As the pastor reached the door to leave, his host said with a tear running down his cheek, "Thank you so much for your visit and especially for the fiery sermon. I shall be back in church next Sunday."

The Moral Lesson

The story of the "Silent Sermon" teaches us that just as a lone ember loses its warmth and brightness when separated from the fire, our spiritual strength diminishes when we isolate ourselves from the community of believers.

Going to church isn't just about attending services; it's about staying connected to the support and fellowship that help keep our faith alive and vibrant.

, in today's cold world, going to church remains a valuable practice. Today, I urge you to attend with an open heart and a readiness to receive from God, seeking not only religious teachings but also a sense of community in order to keep your fire burning. Engage with fellow worshippers, and let the experience inspire you to grow and find solace amidst life's challenges.

Happy Sunday, !

With ❤️,

Jaachị "firebrand" Anyatọnwụ

PS: I'll send another email at 7PM today. Don't miss it. Also, I'd love to know how church service was for you. Tell me, would you? 🙂