Resources/Articles
The Summer Meeting Opportunity
I am not ashamed to tell you that the summer meeting at Southside is my favorite of the year. Not because I have the opportunity to take part as a speaker - although I enjoy being exercised. It is my favorite because of the growth and joy that comes from hearing our local brothers share the fruits of their own studies into God’s word.
Certainly there is edification and fulfillment from any well-devised look into the scriptures, and Southside has been blessed through the years to host many godly, intelligent, and eloquent men. But there is a different level of engagement and encouragement when our local brothers speak. Our friends. Members of our church family. Compared to other meetings, everything seems to mean more, because these men mean more.
My anticipation is heightened by our topic for the week. “Iron Sharpens Iron” is a favorite phrase from Proverbs, and I cannot think of a better theme in a week where men from within our congregation will take a turn honing the edge of our faith. So much energy has been put into these few hours we will spend together. Dozens of hours of study. Countless prayers for the accurate and sincere spreading of truth. Texts and calls among speakers to refine arguments and guarantee continuity among the lessons. The week has not yet begun, and I don’t want it to be over. The cares of the world work diligently to dull our spiritual lives. We are so blessed to have this week to be sharpened together.
I’m sure there are also those who are struggling to understand my excitement. To whom the additional nights of meeting feel like an inappropriate overreach of “church events” into weekly plans. We offer the words of David in Psalm 34:8: “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good.” There is a buffet of spiritual goodness prepared for us. Dive in. Nibbling at the goodness of the Lord can never provide the fulfillment God wants us to have. If you have never fully bought into this idea of the Southside family, make this the week. All things are ready. Come to the feast.
