We live in a culture that loves to be served. Whether it’s as extravagant as an all-inclusive vacation on a cruise ship or as simple as going to the local fast food restaurant, we expect (even demand?) that we be served. Successful fast food restaurants tell you that you can have it your way, convincing us that it’s all about “me”. All week long we are bombarded with messages telling us that people are ready to serve us and do exactly what we want (just so long as we buy their products or pay for their services). And then comes Sunday. The first challenge we have is simply getting out of bed. We’ve had a busy week; some folks work two jobs; there’s the kids that need attention; there’s the laundry that is piling up; there’s the dozen “minor” repairs that are needed around the house (and did you know that of all the days of the week, we have guests coming over today?). The list is endless. We are exhausted from a busy week and Sunday is “ours”. It’s mine to do with it what I please. If I feel like getting up, I’ll get up. If I feel like sleeping in, I’ll sleep in. If I feel like going for a drive that’s exactly what I’ll do. It’s my day. Or so we tell ourselves.
Actually, it is the Lord’s Day. But in our mindset, where everything is about “me”, it’s easy to forget that. We can find a thousand reasons (some of which are very legitimate) why we can’t be in church. Our attendance becomes sporadic. We’ll miss a week here or there. Then we’ll remind ourselves that so-and-so hasn’t been too friendly lately, or the music was too loud or too new or too old, or the preacher went on too long, and, after all, we can always watch religious programming on television from the comfort of our own couches. And before we know it, the Lord’s Day becomes Our Day.
Ephesians 5:25 describes how “Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her”. In our culture, we tend to give up the church, after all, we all know the church isn’t perfect. But it’s because the church isn’t perfect, that Christ gave himself for her, because he loved her. Love never fails. Anyone who is in love will know that they count the minutes until they get together with the one they love. No distance is too far, no price is too high. I remember driving from Winnipeg to Toronto just to see the one I love for a day or two. Love does that.
The Psalmist had it right, “I rejoiced with those who said to me let us go to the house of the Lord” (Psalm 122:1). Why? Because there was something special about going to the house of the Lord—something that could not be fulfilled in any other way. It’s the same reason why the early Christians met daily and it’s the same reason why the writer to the Hebrews says “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:25).
Whether we like to believe it or not, our attendance in church says volumes about our spiritual health. It is true that going to church doesn’t make us a Christian but as Christians we should be doing everything in our power to get there. It’s kind of like a bride being reluctant to go to her own wedding. That sure wouldn’t be a very good sign of things to come.
Wherever you go to church; I encourage you, go regularly, go consistently, and go with an attitude of service. Because in the end, it’s not my day; it is the Lord’s Day and my opportunity to be a blessing to everyone I meet in church.
Pastor Norman
Actually, it is the Lord’s Day. But in our mindset, where everything is about “me”, it’s easy to forget that. We can find a thousand reasons (some of which are very legitimate) why we can’t be in church. Our attendance becomes sporadic. We’ll miss a week here or there. Then we’ll remind ourselves that so-and-so hasn’t been too friendly lately, or the music was too loud or too new or too old, or the preacher went on too long, and, after all, we can always watch religious programming on television from the comfort of our own couches. And before we know it, the Lord’s Day becomes Our Day.
Ephesians 5:25 describes how “Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her”. In our culture, we tend to give up the church, after all, we all know the church isn’t perfect. But it’s because the church isn’t perfect, that Christ gave himself for her, because he loved her. Love never fails. Anyone who is in love will know that they count the minutes until they get together with the one they love. No distance is too far, no price is too high. I remember driving from Winnipeg to Toronto just to see the one I love for a day or two. Love does that.
The Psalmist had it right, “I rejoiced with those who said to me let us go to the house of the Lord” (Psalm 122:1). Why? Because there was something special about going to the house of the Lord—something that could not be fulfilled in any other way. It’s the same reason why the early Christians met daily and it’s the same reason why the writer to the Hebrews says “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:25).
Whether we like to believe it or not, our attendance in church says volumes about our spiritual health. It is true that going to church doesn’t make us a Christian but as Christians we should be doing everything in our power to get there. It’s kind of like a bride being reluctant to go to her own wedding. That sure wouldn’t be a very good sign of things to come.
Wherever you go to church; I encourage you, go regularly, go consistently, and go with an attitude of service. Because in the end, it’s not my day; it is the Lord’s Day and my opportunity to be a blessing to everyone I meet in church.
Pastor Norman
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