Sunday morning a seat was empty. Someone was not here. Their absence could have been because of sickness, other health issues, work, laziness, or pleasure in worldly things. However, we may never know each one’s decision to miss services. All we know is, they missed.

When someone misses services, they miss out on the fellowship of brothers and sisters in Christ. Fellowship is not about food, but about many things. Fellowship means sharing.

It is the sharing of experiences, sharing encouragement, sharing joys and sorrows, and even sharing physical things. The Scriptures tell us that the early church shared with any brother or sister that had a need. (Acts 2.42-47)

It is hard to share with someone who is not present. It is difficult to know what a person’s need are if they do not fellowship with the saints.

As Christians, we are to do good to all men especially those of the household of faith. (Galatians 6.10) When we are able to do good to those in the household of faith, it strengthens our relationship to one another.

Remember when Thomas missed seeing Jesus?

In John 20.24-29, Thomas was not present and did not have the same experiences as the other disciples.

As a result, Thomas did not believe their words. Even though he had been walking with these men for three years, Thomas did not believe them.

Thomas failed to believe in his fellow disciples because he missed. He missed the fellowship and in turn, he missed seeing Jesus. Consider this, his doubts arose because he missed fellowship. His trust in the words of his brethren declined, because he was not present.

On Sunday, someone missed.

They missed more than services.

They missed fellowship.

They missed hope.

They missed opportunities.

And, if I were a betting man, I bet some of them missed Jesus.

Just some thoughts,