Acts 2:42-47 THE FIRST CHURCH "They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer" (2:42).

WATER from the tap is so ordinary that we don't think much about it. Perhaps, every once in a while, the news may feature some important politician opening a new purification plant, or a negligent contractor bursting a pipe accidentally. The unsung heroes that ensure our water supply must be those who labor unseen and unheard in their everyday chores to see that we get our water.

In the Church scene, we also have our less glamorous activities. The big name evangelist (praise God for him), and the big time preacher (praise God for him too) get the publicity. The big name scandal gets even more cover. City-wide rallies of all sorts also have their share of glitz and glamour.

Let me turn your attention to the more mundane, but possibly more important aspects of our Church life. In fact, this section about the first Church begins by telling us the things that are central to their faith in action.

Not all could perform miracles. We are told "many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles" (2:43). For the other believers, their activity centered around learning from the apostles, having fellowship, eating communal meals, and praying. These sound so ordinary that we may be tempted to think the first Church must have something more.

My friends, this is it. What are we looking for? The unglamorous activities that we are so familiar with are also the ones that feed the believers, strengthen them, and spur them on.

If your spiritual life is down, and you are tempted to think that you need something more than the ordinary faith to grow, think again. What we perceive as mundane and routine are the very tradition and habits that Christ gives His Church. We need a habit to get us going. We need routine and discipline. The fanfare of special meetings may excite for awhile, but the real instruments through which we grow are often the ordinary.

ENJOY YOUR SPIRITUAL STAPLE.