Get Back to Church

It is so easy to hit the snooze button on Sunday morning when the alarm sounds at seven o'clock, roll over and go back to sleep. You had every intention of going to church, maybe Sunday School, also...even had your clothes laid out, but your sleepy side wins and you satisfy your guilt with the thought, 'next Sunday.' I've done that, and trust me- it's much easier for me to do it now that I have moved to a new area, away from my home church which has basically been my second home for the past eleven years.

Why do we even go to church? Maybe the kids go for the free donuts or coffee cake? Maybe you go to catch your accountant by the sleeve after worship to chat about your taxes? I go because I need to worship and crave spiritual fulfillment. I go to two different services- a contemporary worship service, where I serve as a worship leader, and then later to a traditional worship service, where I sit and worship with the congregation. Both services touch my heart differently, and I need both styles of worship in my life. Yes, I could easily play a Christian music CD, or pull out our book of worship from my shelf and play a CD of worship hymns at home on Sunday- or any day, for that matter, but I definitely don't take the same thing away from it.

Going to church means worship- corporate worship, which fills a deep need in my heart week after week. Going to church means being surrounded by my family- my brothers and sisters in Christ, some who have watched me grow up, some who I have grown up with, and now those who I get the pleasure of watching grow. I go to church to hear the Word- the lessons and the Gospel, the scripture verses and the liturgy. As I leave church, I know that I have been filled with that Word and I am more prepared to go out into the world and share it! I go to church to be lifted up, and to have my burdens lifted away. I go to church to lift others up- to be supportive of my family members who are in any kind of need. I go to church to become involved- with worship planning, in music programs, in bible study, with the youth, in the community, etc.

I can worship on my own. I can pray on my own. I can study the Word of the Lord on my own...but I NEED to worship with my family. I NEED to hear the multitude of praises to the Father resounding within our church walls. I NEED to hear that Gospel every Sunday.

You see friends, as Christians we do have spiritual needs. Your church can be many things, as can the people there. If you let yourself be truly immersed in worship, not matter what style of worship service you prefer, you will feel God's presence in that place, and it will stay with you. Let your heart be filled. If you don't have a church home, try a few out. Don't expect to fall in love with the first church or congregation you visit, focus on falling in love with Jesus...He's already in love with you. If you trust Him, He will guide you to the right place for you to be.

Let's get back into the habit of going to church this year. Take it slow- starting with worship. If you feel like doing more, join a Sunday School class or small group. As you grow in faith, your heart will grow, and the involvement will come, it does take time. Pray about the right areas for you to get involved in- you may find that you are needed for something that may never have even crossed your mind. Let the SON shine in.