Why church? Why Not Fishing ?
Are you being reeled back into church?
Do you ever feel like staying home from church so you can sleep in? Do you ever wish you could spend more time at the deer lease hunting? Do you ever say, “I was worshiping God on the lake while fishing?”
In the past 25 plus years, I have heard almost every excuse, or funny sayings, for justifying not going to church. I know that I used to make excuses for not going to church on Sunday nights. My wife and I worked 6 days a week having 3 different jobs while going to school full time. By the time Sunday came around we were just worn out. Somehow we would make it to church Sunday morning, but I would always just say, “Sunday nights are for me to rest”. You may be thinking to yourself, "so, what's wrong with that"? And I would say to you, "Nothing"!. You see, God intended that seventh day to be Holy, but also a day of rest.
In Genesis 2:1-3 it says, “So the creation of the heavens and the earth and everything in them was completed. On the seventh day God had finished his work of creation, so he rested from all his work. And God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, because it was the day when he rested from all his work of creation."
I am not sure why I felt I needed to explain my situation with others back at that time. I guess because I felt guilty for not going when the doors were open, or supporting my Pastor who had prepared a sermon. It was not until later on that year I realized that it was not just about me. See, the Pastor prepared a sermon for those that desired to go to church, not for the ones who did not. My Pastor did not get angry at me the following Sunday and say, ”Why weren't you here last Sunday?" Yes, he wanted me to be there, but only if I had a desire to do so. I do remember once when Wendy and I decided to go one Sunday night; and we really enjoyed it! We were able to listen to a good message, pray for those in need, sing great music, and most of all, spend time fellowship with other believers. From that time on God changed the desire of My heart.
Colossians 3:16 says, "Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts."
We want you to know, your Staff and Pastor at LHBC, that we want you to be at Church every time the doors are open. We need your money! Just kidding! Just seeing if you made it this far in my devotional, and that I do have a sense of humor too. Yes, your Giving and/or Tithing is important to the survival of LHBC, but we want you here because it is encouraging, and because we love being with you, and you with us.
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."
So should you feel the need to rest on Sunday morning, then do so. But in your day of rest, I would encourage you to leave some time for God though. Tell him "Thank You" for your rest. Do not feel guilty for being gone or doing your heart's desire. We have the freedom in Christ to worship wherever we are at the time. Do not make excuses though, like I did. We all get it, and we all desire rest as well. Enjoy your day!
Psalm 118:24 says, "This is the day the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it."
Just to be clear, this is not a devotional giving you excuses, nor encouraging you to be out of church every Sunday either. :) Please go back and read my verses I highlighted. God wants us in Church so that we may continue to grow in Him, and encourage one another also.
God bless,
E.