Claims Upon Our Worship
The book of Hebrews motivates us to throw off the things that weigh us down in the Christian race we are in, and W.E. McCumber's words on this are helping us to put it into perspective. He says, secondly, that we should throw off "claims upon our energy that leave us too weary to attend church."
The other day after one of our church services I had a chat with a friend who hasn't been well and so hasn't been able to come out to church. He said that he woke up and thought "should I go? Shouldn't I go?" I joked with him and said "yep I had the same thoughts this morning!"
But truthfully, I didn't. Church on a Sunday is really my happy place. I have the wonderful privilege of preparing a sermon and songs and prayers for the people of my church Sunday by Sunday. I wouldn't trade it. It's my calling and it fulfils me deeply.
Making Church a Priority
But I know that this isn't your experience of church. You come to church and sit in the pews to receive that sermon and those songs and prayers. And I'm aware that there are times when other things are scheduled and you may not make it to church. Or perhaps you wake up and think "should I? Shouldn't I?" and sometimes you think "naa, not today!"
What stops you from coming to church? Health problems? I think that's a legitimate reason to watch online instead of coming in. But I don't think we should see church as optional! This is our spiritual family, where we get to gather weekly to worship God in the sanctuary and with His people, to hear a word from a pastor who cares about us, to build somebody else up and walk alongside them in their faith.
An unknown author has written this little poem which I thought was great:
I think that I shall never see
A church that’s all it ought to be:
A church whose members never stray
Beyond the straight and narrow way;
A church that has no empty pews,
Whose pastor never has the blues,
A church whose deacons always deak,
And none is proud, and all are meek;
Where gossips never peddle lies,
Or make complaints or criticize;
Where all are always sweet and kind,
And all to others’ faults are blind.
Such perfect churches there may be,
But none of them are known to me.
But still, we’ll work, and pray, and plan
To make our own the best we can.
Building Up the Body of Christ
Your church is not perfect, that's for sure. But are you working, praying, planning to make it the best you can? Are you showing up and being a part of things and using your gifting to make the church thrive?
Throw off the things that prevent you from doing this! What if it becomes known in your circles that you can't make Sunday events, because you're a Christ-follower who worships on Sunday. Is that too radical? Surely not!
I pray that your church will see you weekly this year, because you've thrown off the weight of the things that kept you away in the past.
Church attendance is not optional but essential for our spiritual growth and community. Examine what is keeping you from gathering with God's people on Sundays and commit to making worship a priority.