Spring weather offers lesson on faith and community

I love spring. The gloominess of late fall and winter is passing away, and the promise of warm weather and sunny days lies ahead.

Living through spring in Ohio can produce a roller coaster of weather days. Just recently, we had days that began in the 60s, climbed to the upper 70s, reached the 80s, then dropped into the 30s, with a little snow and ice forming on puddles and shallow ponds.

It is those roller coaster weather conditions that often cause sinus issues or, worse, migraines. It is also why some people in retirement choose to fly south to Florida for the winter. These “snowbirds” do not want to face the atrocities of cold, snowy weather, so south they fly.

The majority of us Ohioans, though, either enjoy the mixed bag of weather Ohio gives us or are forced to stay here for one reason or another. Personally, I love Ohio. I love the mixed weather we get, and it is never boring. I have lived the majority of my life here. I was born in Martins Ferry and lived there until the end of my seventh-grade year in school. We moved to Massillon, where I graduated from high school. I went to college at Kent State University, got married in Canton and raised three children who all graduated from Perry High School — and they all live in Ohio as well.

Relating the weather in Ohio to our spiritual lives might seem a stretch, but then again, it is not really. Some people who call themselves Bible-believing, born-again Christians often attend church like Ohio’s weather. As long as things are warm and fuzzy at church, they are there in attendance. Let one thing go afoul or irritate them, then the cooling-off period begins and they stay away until things get warmed back up.

Like in Ohio, though, there are usually more warmer, nicer days than rainy, cold, snowy, bad days.

As a pastor, it is an encouragement to me when I see the younger crowd show up on Sunday mornings. There is a national trend that younger people are showing up in church seeking what God has for them in their lives. The shocking trend in these statistics (see Barna.org for more specific information) is that younger males are out-attending their female counterparts.

Truth is, church — and you can add my church or your church to the list — has been given a bad rap by the very people who seem to run them. But the Bible gives us reason to attend church. In Hebrews 10:24-25, the writer says:

“24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”

Real church is real community. It is where we stir up one another to love and to do good works. It is not neglecting one another, but encouraging one another — and it is consistent, not like Ohio weather.

I know summer is on the horizon, and many will be looking to run away for vacations and summer getaways. In your explorations, if you do not attend a church, do not get blown away like the weather. Find a church and find a community to raise your family.

If you need help finding a church, contact us at the Carroll County Ministerial Association. We would love to connect you to a church. Until then, stay safe and enjoy the warmer weather ahead.

Dr. Chuck Wilson

Pastor, Carrollton Bible Chapel