One fall day Beverly and I made our annual journey. Golden sun. Blue sky. Clear streams. Colorful leaves. The scenery changed with every turn. Less green and more reds, oranges, and yellows. Beautiful cascades and waterfalls along winding roads. The world was God's canvas and He was painting an amazing picture.

We drove along the Blue Ridge and crossed the Nantahalas. At the entrance to the Great Smokey Mountains National Park stood a visitors center with a large open field nearby. I glanced toward the field and noticed something moving. It wasn't a black bear, of which there are many in the Smokeys. I looked closer, gasped, and dove into the center's parking lot.

Jumping out of the car, we quickly joined about thirty others, all perfectly still and quietly staring into the field. There, not more than fifty yards away, stood a beautiful, grand, majestic male...elk. Not far away were several females peacefully grazing.

I've traveled in these mountains my entire life and had never seen an elk. Turns out the Park Service was reintroducing them to the area. But never had they come out into the open like this. I decided God was saying, "Hey Chuck. What do you think of this?" I love seeing God in His creation.

But I wasn't alone. There were others and we were bonding over this unique event. Yet not all. On the road, cars passed without even a glance. Some entered the parking lot and stopped at the restrooms. Passengers looked at us and the field, saw nothing of significance, and moved on.

What?! I was shocked and sad at the same time. They were missing this incredible animal. I wanted to shout, "Elk is here! Come back! He's waiting for you. You may never see him again."

Something similar can happen with each of us---not missing an experience with an amazing creature, but with an amazing Creator. We get in such a hurry to be somewhere or have something that we rush by God. We lose that incredible experience with Him.

We also lose an incredible experience with each other. Those who sped by the visitors center or stopped only to satisfy an immediate need all missed out. Beverly, I, and our small group got to share the experience. We were in awe, happy, smiling, even laughing...together.

Christian fellowship should have such a bond. Paul wrote of the first believers, They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and prayer (Acts 2:42). Wow. Fellowship was equally important with learning, communion, and prayer. So why do we act as though our spiritual life doesn't need it?

If you've ever been in a church, Bible study, or JABOB (Just A Bunch Of Believers), you may have been disappointed, frustrated, angered, betrayed, ignored, etc. It happens to us all. The Family of God would go so much more smoothly if we didn't have to deal with people. Alas, we do.

But notice those first believers didn't just have fellowship. They were devoted to it. They loved and encouraged each other. They were one in spirit and purpose, doing nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. With humility they valued each other, taking care not only of their own needs, but those of other believers as well. (see Philippians 2:1-4)

This is what fellowship is meant to be, regardless of where it may be found...a church or JABOB. We must be devoted to it. And if at this moment you don't have that fellowship or need more...well, don't forget us. Remember Ciloa. We're kind of into that encouraging thing.

May the Fellowship heed the call: God is here! Come back! He's waiting for you. You may never see Him again.