Why is going to Church such a Big Deal?
Yesterday morning I was up early getting ready for the Victory Baptist Church Puppet team to perform in our local grand parade. We let our little light shine! I was excited, and so were the kids. I wasn’t just excited about Saturday, but Sunday too. My heart begins to stir this morning as I think about our services today. It’s exciting for me! But for so many others, Christian’s even, it ranks just above going to the dentist, or so their face appears when you mention it. They generally have a well-rehearsed excuse as to why they can’t go, or a reason Church is not top priority in their lives. I know I write about this a lot, and I’m likely preachin’ to the choir on this blog. Because if you care enough to read me, you must surely love Christ!
So why is a big deal for me? First and foremost because God died for me to have the opportunity. That’s a pretty big deal, but even before Christ did that Church was a big deal.
In Psalm 122:1 David said “I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord.” Many Christian’s can recite that verse from heart, but that wasn’t all he said.
It was in David’s time that Jerusalem was chosen to be the city where God would record His name. It was a Holy City and the people were excited to have the opportunity to worship where God put His name. It was a Jewish privilege which they too took for granted until it was no longer a “big deal” for them to have communion with God. I think there’s a few keys in Psalm 122 as to how we got to where we are concerning the lack of eagerness to attend church.
A LOST SENSE OF COMMUNITY
Vs. 2-3 – Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem. Jerusalem is builded as a city that is compact together:
Church time was a time when the community came together in support of not only God but one another. They were compact, a tight knit group. That’s how church was meant to be, not these click centered social hours where families arrive at 11 o’clock sharp, sit in row 5, shake hands with rows 6 and 4, having “suffered through the long list of prayer requests”, enjoyed the singing, tolerated the preacher, until he said something that convicted them and then at 12 o’clock dull they were frustrated because the altar call was taking a little longer than it should, so they stormed past the preacher at the church door without so much as a hand shake. Woah… where did all that come from? I guess it was on my heart.
But communities as a whole have lost their need to support one another. We’re far too busy supporting our Facebook Community.
A LOST SENSE OF ACCOUNTABILITY
Verses 4-5
Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord, unto the testimony of Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the Lord. For there are set thrones of judgment, the thrones of the house of David.
How can one possibly tell their friends and family that they should have a right heart with the Lord, when those same friends and family know where they are on Sunday morning? And it’s not in church. That’s like a smoking physician telling a tobacco chewing farmer he needs to quit his bad habits… okay now I’m meddling.
A LOST SENSE OF CONCERN
Verses 6-8 ~ Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee. Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces. For my brethren and companions’ sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee.
Peace. We’ve had it too good too long. Throw some heartache into the mix and people have a tendency to at least consider church. But then let it subside a day or two and their old habits kick in. I spent most of yesterday on the verge of tears during the festival. If I had dwelled on my thoughts I would have been like Jeremiah the Old Testament prophet. I seen oceans of apathy all day concerning God; with the exception of my church family that I fellowshipped with during the day.
David knew the power of the house of the Lord. He drew strength from it. I’m not prideful when I say this, mostly humbled, but I’m so glad I know the power in the house of the Lord!
Vs. 9 – Because of the house of the Lord our God I will seek thy good.
I’m going to do my best today to seek thy good Lord as I travel to my home church this morning and then sing in Doddridge County, WV for their West Fest festival this afternoon and hopefully be back in time to attend evening services! It’s important to me.
I’m Praying that our Lord’s services are blessed today, let me know how your went.
