“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another — and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” — Hebrews 10:24-25

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In the summer of 2014, following a St. Louis Cardinals game at Busch Stadium, I made my way across the street to Ballpark Village. That afternoon, the U.S. men’s national team was set to play Portugal in the group stage of the FIFA World Cup, and BPV was hosting a massive watch party.

I was in town by myself and could’ve gone back to my hotel to watch the game alone, but the watch party seemed like a fun time. I didn’t know anyone there, but I made my way to the upper concourse and watched the game with hundreds, if not thousands, of soccer fans. The place was rocking and the atmosphere before and during the game was electric.

Any time I’ve ever been in a stadium or gathered with a group of fans at a watch party, the experience has always been far better than if I had watched alone. Even if the game ends in a loss — or in this case, a tie — for my team, I’m always glad I experienced the atmosphere and energy from a crowd.

This is because we were created to be in community with others. God tells us it is not good for man to be alone, and while He wasn’t talking about sports, I think we can apply the same concept here. It’s why going to a concert to see your favorite band is better than listening in the car, or watching your team play is generally more fun when you’re in the stadium. Something happens within us when we’re joined together with thousands of others singing the same songs or cheering for our favorite team.

Hebrews 10:24-25 (above) shows that gathering together gives believers the opportunity to encourage one another and spur one another toward faithfulness. You can watch a game alone, but there’s something about being surrounded by people who share your passion. Their enthusiasm adds to your own. In the Church, that shared experience goes beyond enthusiasm, as other believers help sustain your faith when your own excitement or hope runs low.

But there’s another important distinction between a crowd of sports fans and a gathering of believers. At a watch party, we come together to share an experience. In the Church, we come together to help one another grow in our faith. The author of Hebrews doesn’t simply tell us to meet together; he tells us to consider how we might encourage one another toward love and good deeds. We gather to be encouraged as well as to encourage others.

That means showing up matters, even when we don’t feel particularly enthusiastic about it. Someone else might need the encouragement we have to offer, just as there will be times when we need the encouragement they can provide. We may arrive carrying burdens that others know nothing about, but God can use the presence, prayers and words of fellow believers to remind us that we don’t have to carry them alone.

I still enjoy watching a game by myself from time to time. But when I think back to that afternoon at Ballpark Village, I remember how much better the experience was because I shared it with others. The same is true of our faith. We can read Scripture and pray on our own, and those practices are important. But God never intended for us to follow Jesus in isolation.

— Cole Claybourn

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