It's Sunday morning. I'm not at church. This bothers me. The only time the dog groomers had an appointment open was at 11am today, and there's no way I could get from church at 10am to the groomer on time. So Peyton gets all prettied up today, but at my expense. I realize that having a dog is almost like "training" to have a child, and I know that I have to make a few sacrifices now to make sure he's well cared for. But I don't like skipping church to take him to an appointment. I don't like skipping church at all. This is the second week in a row that we haven't gone, since I felt horrible last weekend.
I feel like when I miss church, I'm missing something really important in my life. Going to church launches my week with a revived sense of God's purpose in my life. In my day-to-day life, I'm surrounded by very few believers, and many more fervent non-believers. No doubt this has an impact on my Christian walk. I am reminded of Matthew 18:20, where Jesus says "For where two or three come together in my name, there I am with them." No doubt, God is with us in our everyday lives, but right there, Jesus specifically says that when His believers gather for Him, He is there for us. Hebrews 10:25 says, "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching." God wants us to gather with other Christians to worship Him and fellowship to keep our faith strong. Prayer and Bible study are important, but church attendance is just as important. As Christians, we need the edification that we find at church. We need that sense of community with other believers. We need to hear God's word through the Gospel, and what God chooses to say through the preacher. We need to partake of communion regularly, as instructed by Jesus.
How do you feel about going to church? Is it just another chore for you, or do you enjoy going? What kind of sacrifices do you make to get there?
Comments (5)
I love our church and actually look forward to going every time, sometimes it just can't get here fast enough. Right now my husband and I drive about 35 miles to get to church, but we are hoping to move closer soon You will have to put a picture up Peyton with her haircut, what kind of dog do you have? Have a good day!
I rarely miss church. I usually love going, but there are days, well... "dry" spells, you know. I still go, and I make sure I can. I don't do other things unless there's just no other way. Not because I'm a pastor, but because it's a decision based on personal conviction. I've always done it.
Don't beat yourself up over it. It's not the end of the world. Sometimes scheduling is what it is and you do the best you can.
I think God might cut you some slack... but just this once! 
(j/k!)
For instance, my air conditioner went out and the repair guy is coming
tonight - a church night. I live in the Mohave desert in N.W AZ. It's 105 here today, and supposed to stay that way. The guy who's
fixing it is doing it as a personal favor, no charge, saving me hundreds
of dollars. It's the only free time he has, so, needless to say, I'm
going to miss church tonight to accommodate him.
It's a good sign that it bothered you to miss, though. Some people would never give it a second thought. I just would watch out that it doesn't start to happen often. It's easy to fall into. Sometimes people miss church for a really good reason, then another, then the reasons are not so good anymore, and it begins to get easier and easier to miss. I see it all the time. Then once they get out of regular church they start having trouble. They really need the fellowship and support, and the headship and the covering the church provides.
I better stop. I am starting to sound preachy.
Be blessed!
I skip church way more than I should. I need to be more diligent. ~ L
I am praying for you anyone to he needs for the lord to move in there life for any reasons.
My pastor has been hot and heavy on this subject more than a couple times. I thought of one of his sermons immediately when I started reading this. Maybe I should tape one for you sometime
Sometimes its hard to gather up the incentive to go to church, esp. if you haven't had a lot of sleep and its hard to get up in the morning, or if there are other things going on that causes a time conflict. I live 45 minutes away from my church, which would potentially cause a big problem if my Dad didn't live so close to it, which is why I crash there on Saturday nights after work. It also helps that I'm the song leader, and I know I'm gonna hear about it if I don't make it