When I took this picture I was struck by the scene for a couple of reasons I thought I’d share with you today. This is a ruin of an old church building, one that was constructed back in the early 1800’s on a hill a short distance from a place called Jefferson’s Rock. I haven’t been able to find any more information on the church, and that is the other reason that I was struck by the sight.
From Jefferson’s Rock, Thomas Jefferson looked out at the place where the Shenandoah River flows into the Potomac, a spectacular view that he wrote about in his “bestseller” Notes on the State of Virginia. The church had the second best view in the area…
Here’s what I take from all of this: First, our brothers and sisters in Christ once worshipped and glorified God in this location. Second, this place has not been used in a very long time and has fallen into ruin and decay, and so shall our churches if we do not take the gospel forth into the world around us: God is no longer worshipped in this place.
Not good.
It could be that this congregation moved to a different location, maybe the building was damaged in the Civil War; I don’t know.
What will future generations say of us? Will they give thanks that we were here? Will they say that we spread the gospel and changed lives for Christ? Will they say that we did our part in building His Kingdom?
It would seem that this is entirely up to us…
Will we set all else aside and follow Jesus Christ, take the gospel to this world and share His great love with our families, friends and neighbors?
There’s work to be done!
Note: This post first ran on July 27, 2013.
Life Project Blog 
Excellent as always. I love the picture, too.
Thanks!
You are quite welcome. I love your writings!
We, as society, leave buildings to rot and decay. Now more than ever, it is becoming a disposable society, throwing items away instead of repairing them. Many old places remind me of this, but they can also be a reminder that , no matter what happens, people turned to God to pull them through the hard times.
So true, thanks for sharing it!
The ruins of St. John’s Episcopal Church, on a hill above High Street. The church was originally built in 1852.
Thanks Bargo!
Thank you – well said. 😀
cate b
🙂
Yes! Apparently Jesus is working over time today because this was exactly my thoughts, We must go out into the world and make disciples!
Amen!
I love the way you presented this, and the content is great too. We should all have the same mindset, for we are one body in Christ our Lord.
Thank you
We as each individual must want and desire to fill and complete our Christian journey so we can say as Paul, ” I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:”
Very well stated!