I shared in a recent column that I had been struggling with a lot of things. Dealing with having COVID, then shingles, then increasingly painful rheumatoid arthritis, having dental surgery, and above all, not attending church. Then came along a full pandemic, increasing crime, politics, and war across the sea. In the last couple of years, I have not been to more than four worship services and about the same Sunday School classes. In the beginning, it was because of the Pandemic, but as time passed, that was just an excuse. I simply got out of the habit and figured if I watched online, it was just as good. Then, I finally quit watching online and just treated Sunday as a regular day. And my life suffered for it. I gave up playing musical instruments (which has always been my form of worship) and reading the Scriptures as I should physically and spiritually. I became the proverbial mess.

All the while, I would feel God speaking to me, but as time passed, the voice became harder and harder to hear. I would pray for help, for family and friends, and for the world and that was about the extent of my spiritual life.

Then, God decided to get tough and hold me accountable. Like in the life of Elijah, it wasn’t through a whirlwind or fire, but through a still small voice like in a wisp of wind in the night.

“Jimmy, you have been called to be better than this. You are my child and I need you to come back to my people. There are gifts you have that need to be used and I will help you get back, if you will only let me. Come home.”

So, I am doing that. I’m beginning to write again, play the piano again (I’m rusty, but getting better), and heading back to church. I can’t lie about it; it won’t be easy to change two years of habit, but with God’s help, I know I can do it. I will do it.
So, how about you? Have you drifted away from a local fellowship of believers? Are you using COVID as an excuse?

Even if the church doesn’t require masks, you can still wear one and socially distance. If you aren’t comfortable with singing in the choir or in a close together praise band, then don’t do it. Just sit in the congregation and worship there. If you are a member of a large study group, you can still wear your mask, sit away from others, but still hear and learn the Word of God. Your fellowship with other people is important.

We have been given a beautiful world in which to live and plenty of good people to share it. With God’s help, we can have encouragement that these trials and difficult times will pass … and if they don’t, at least we will have God to help us through it.

I’m sharing all this in hopes it might be an encouragement to someone, but also to let you hold me accountable. I need God. I need a local church. I need to do my part of serving Him. I need to go home.

And for today my friends, this has been the gospel according to Jimmy.

Jimmy Cochran is a resident of McDonough, a musician, a minister and the author of Being God’s and Staying God’s, both available at Amazon.com. Being God’s is also available at Moye’s Pharmacy in McDonough.