This past weekend we had a bit of a snowstorm that kept us home from church. In all honesty, we probably could have made it. But, as excuses go, we made one…or two or three. Excuse one: The roads might be covered. Second excuse: I don’t want the babies out in the cold. Excuse three: Not many others will be going. So, that was that. We were skipping church.
While these excuses might be valid, going to church does something to start the week for me. Missing it means missing that jump start. You might say, “Going to church doesn’t make you a Christian,” or maybe “You don’t have to go to church to be a Christian.” These statements are true. That doesn’t mean that church is unimportant.
Skipping Church Before Babies
Before we had Clark, our church attendance was sporadic at best. When David and I got married we tried out a couple of churches before we found a home at First Baptist. Although we loved the services and felt welcomed, our attendance was spotty for about 6 months before we started attending more regularly. Why? I was pregnant. It has always been very important to us that our kids are raised in the church. Looking back, it was also God’s way of saying, “Hey, let’s get back on track.”
With regular attendance, I found that I was growing closer to Jesus. There is something about being in a room filled with fellow believers singing out His praises. It is an amazing feeling that settles in your bones and even gives chills. This feeling might explain why so many of us live our lives just waiting for the next surge of God’s power to be felt. I’ll be the first to admit that I have spent more time searching for that feeling in church than I do when I’m alone and reading my Bible.
Realization Ensues
When I came to realize that I was searching for that feeling only at church, something changed. I began to look for God more thoroughly in my life and during my Bible readings. Rather than just reading the words, I applied them to my life. Doing so made me an everyday Christian, rather than just a Sunday Christian.
Even with the knowledge that I could find Christ in the every day, I still prefer to be in church at the beginning of each week. Without church on Sundays, the week reminds me of a day without coffee. There is a reason that we worship together. Hebrews 10: 24-25 says, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
Sometimes we need the encouragement of a fellow Christian to continue on the path God has set out for us. It can be easy to stray and turn away from love, but a fellow follower of Christ might remind you how things should be.
Church Gets Me Ready
I skipped church on Sunday.
It is inevitable to miss some Sundays. There’s always the chance that my kids get sick and need me home, I could get sick myself, or the weather might keep me home. Whatever the reason, I didn’t get that boost at the beginning of the week.
I find the face of Jesus all around me these days. However, missing church means I’m missing out on other aspects. The more regularly I attend, the more I discover what I might miss. The music that never fails to get me in “praise mode” is one aspect. The sermon is another important one. Seeing friends that I’ve come to care for that also care for me is a third. These things prepare me for the week ahead. Without them, I feel a little sluggish.
What Works for Me When I’ve Missed
The great thing about modern technology is that sermons are available online. Even if the most recent sermon isn’t available yet, there’s so much online I can always find something that I haven’t heard before. Even if I listen to something that I have heard before, there’s probably something else that can be learned from it – or even just act as a reminder.
Listening to the message that has been prepared and prayed over reaches me in ways that interpreting the Word myself doesn’t always do. Romans 10:17 says, “Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.” Hearing the pastor talk about something that is almost always relevant to my current situation both amazes and inspires me.
I listen to a lot more praise music at home when I’ve missed a service. As I write this right now, Pandora is playing the Oceans (Where Feet May Fail) station. I typically listen to a lot of Contemporary Christian music anyway, but I feel like I pay attention to the words more, maybe looking for the voice of God in the lyrics. Right now, the song is saying, “I am redeemed. You’ve set me free.” This is a song by Big Daddy Weave that clearly speaks to my theme today. Even if you miss a Sunday, you’re forgiven.
If I’m lacking in fellowship after a missed Sunday, I look for that fellowship elsewhere. From the grocery store to Facebook, it can be found.
Finding a Church Family
If you are someone that has not found a church to call home, I highly recommend it. Keep looking until you find the right fit.
If you are someone that does not attend church regularly, that is also highly recommended. It is amazing what it can do to your faith.
If you are someone that has not discovered the love and sacrifice of Jesus Christ – if you have not been saved by the Savior himself, I recommend this over all else. Read about what He has done for you. Check out John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” It will most definitely change your life.
Whether you are a Christian, a straying Christian, or a non-believer, let’s talk about it in the comments. I truly pray that you come to know Christ, get back on the path He has planned for you, or continue to praise Him above all else.