“By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:35, BSB) With these words, Jesus identified the unmistakable mark of true Christian community. Yet, how often do our gatherings fall short of this ideal? Though we assemble in the same room, sing the same songs, and hear the same Word proclaimed, there is often a noticeable lack of what Scripture calls “one-anothering.” Without this, our churches can resemble mere social clubs or lecture halls rather than the family of God.

The Ticking Thief

One reason for this shortfall is the ticking clock that governs so many of our meetings. We live in a culture ruled by schedules, where everything must fit into neat, predetermined slots. The structure of our services often reflects this pressure. Songs, prayers, and sermons are carefully timed, leaving little room for the unhurried, relational engagement that Scripture commands. There is never quite enough time for both the teaching ministry and the mutual encouragement that defines true fellowship.

The relentless demand for efficiency not only stifles meaningful connection but also risks quenching the activity of the Holy Spirit. When Paul wrote to the Thessalonians, he urged them plainly: “Do not quench the Spirit” (1 Thessalonians 5:19, BSB). Yet how often do we allow rigid schedules to do just that? The Spirit works in moments of stillness, in conversations that go deeper than surface-level greetings, and in the unexpected ways He prompts one believer to minister to another. By rushing through our gatherings, we may silence His voice and miss the very work He desires to do among us.

This time constraint stands in stark contrast to the picture of the early church. Consider the rhythms of their fellowship: “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer” (Acts 2:42, BSB). Notice the balance—they devoted themselves not only to doctrine but also to one another. They lingered together, breaking bread in their homes, sharing meals with glad and sincere hearts. They made time for the ministry of the Word and the ministry of presence, allowing the Spirit to move freely among them.

What would it look like to prioritize the Spirit’s leading over the constraints of the clock? It would require an openness to linger in worship or prayer when the Spirit is clearly at work. It would mean creating space in our gatherings for testimonies, spontaneous acts of encouragement, and Spirit-led intercession. It would mean resisting the urge to move on simply because the schedule says we must.

Stop the Clock

The tyranny of the clock is not just a matter of convenience; it reflects deeper questions of what we value. When Paul admonished the Galatians to “carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2, BSB), he envisioned a church willing to invest the time and energy necessary to truly know and care for each other. This kind of ministry cannot be rushed. Nor can we expect the Spirit to conform to our schedules.

True fellowship and Spirit-led ministry require us to slow down, to listen, and to engage deeply with both God and one another. The teaching of the Word is essential, but so is the call to “encourage one another and build each other up” (1 Thessalonians 5:11, BSB). The Spirit works through both, weaving together truth and love into a tapestry of grace that strengthens the body of Christ.

How is God calling you to step off the treadmill of efficiency and embrace the unhurried rhythms of true fellowship? How might you make room for the Spirit to work in and through your life and your gatherings? Ask Him to show you where you have quenched His voice, and seek His help to reorder your priorities around His purposes.

Yield to the Spirit of Christ

May we not leave our gatherings with the hollow sense that something was missing. Instead, let us reflect the unity, love, and mutual care that should characterize the body of Christ. And may we always be sensitive to the Spirit’s leading, ready to follow wherever He moves, unbound by the ticking of the clock.

“And let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds. Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:24-25, BSB)

Cross References: Romans 12:10, Ephesians 5:15-18, Colossians 3:13

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