People may define “church” in a lot of ways. A place where believers gather. A place where we worship God. A place where we study the Bible. A universal fellowship of believers not restricted to a building or place. A place where we play softball and have a devotion. And on and on and on.

To me, church is Home. A place where I am accepted and feel love and a sense of family. A place where I feel better for having been there.

I went to church today. To my home church where, due to the pandemic and then just complacency, I have been not much more than three or four times in the past couple of years. I’m not quite sure what happened, but it seems that God finally got a hold of me and told me I need to get back.

“Jimmy, you have gifts that I gave you that you are not using. Gifts of music and leadership. A gift of Ordination to Ministry that you need to use in speaking and singing and playing. People need you and you need to be around them. Go Home. This Sunday. No excuses. Go Home.”

Well, when God talks to you in those type of terms, what do you do? You go home.

I went back to First Christ Cares Church and as I turned into the driveway and saw the little building on the hill where I grew up, I became so happy and verklempt at the same time. I couldn’t wait to go in. As I entered the sanctuary, their pianist was the first to see me and with a smile, she pointed to me and to the piano…meaning “you are playing today.” I began to come up with excuses like arthritis, out of practice, etc., but then I remembered God clearly told me “No Excuses.” So, I took my place at the piano where I sat for many years and worshipped there during the service.

The folks welcomed me with open arms (well, more of elbow bumps due to social distancing), and a couple of illegal hugs. I was home. The message from our Pastor was so encouraging and challenging that I have thought on it all day. As I thought back over my morning when I got into my car to drive home, I realized that I had truly been with God today. It could have been at any church, but it was at my church. Home.

The church where I grew up (Bouldercrest Baptist). This is where I was ordained as a Deacon and as a Minister. Where I served on staff as a Deacon, Pianist, and as Minister of Recreation and Students and had a great group of young people. We took mission trips to Washington, D.C., New York, St. Simons, Savannah, and other places. It was and continues to be a good place. Several years ago, Bouldercrest sold to another congregation (First Christ Cares Church) but my mom and I stayed because the new church is a loving, caring fellowship and it is our Home.

When you go to church, where do you go? When you go does it really feel as if you have come Home? Are things so structured that you feel stressed and lost in the order of service? That doesn’t happen when your church is Home. Like me, that is the one place you should be able to go and relax in the Lord, enjoy being a part of corporate and personal worship, and just take a break from the trials of the world outside.

Or, if you are not active in a church, let me encourage you to find one that fits your needs. A place where you can meet God and learn His Ways. A place you can call 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.