“Why are these people in church?” the pastor wondered.
From the distracted, unsmiling faces of those sitting in the
pews, it appeared they would rather be in bed, sleeping; at the river, fishing;
at the outlets, shopping; at a restaurant, eating; at home, watching TV, or on
the golf course.
So, why are we in
church? What is our motivation?
Is it guilt? We’re
supposed to be in church, right? Fear?
Won’t God get mad if I don’t attend? Habit?
I’ve been going to church since I was knee-high to a grasshopper. Why change
now? Expectations? What would people
think of me if I didn’t show up? Obligations?
Who will take up the offering, work the nursery, or run the sound system if I
skip out?
Hmmmm. . . not the best motivations for attending church.
God’s Word offers great reasons to gather with other
Christians. Obedience: “Don’t give
up meeting together.” (Hebrews 10:25a) Joy:
“I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the LORD.’" (Psalm
122:1) Thankfulness: “Open to me the
gates of the Temple; I will go in and give thanks to the Lord!” (Psalm 118:19; Encouragement: “Come and listen, all
who honor God, and I will tell you what he has done for me.” (Psalm 66:16) Knowledge: “Let the message about
Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with
all the wisdom [Christ] gives.” (Colossians 3:16)
From time to time my husband, who is a pastor, reminds our congregation
that what we bring to church determines what take away from it. This
coming Sunday, will you join me in exchanging guilt for obedience, joy for
fear, thankfulness for habit, encouragement for expectations, and knowledge for
obligations? Let us echo David in Psalm 122:1 saying, “I was glad when they
said to me, ‘Let us go to the Lord's house.’”
Be encouraged!
Pam©2018 Pamela D. Williams
