Just another Sabbath Sunday...

I missed church this morning and for the first time ever, I think, felt guilty about it.  Not because of the “shoulds” or because it’s going to change the way God feels about me, because it’s not, and I do really enjoy going.  It uplifts me.  It sets my sites straight for the week.  And because I feel there is a lot I want to give back to God and I do that at church emotionally and physically, in song, in service, and in sacrifice.  It is part of our week and it is much like coming home to a family reunion.  Hellos and hugs and catching up on the weeks gone past and the weeks ahead. 

It’s a real place, with real people, who have real problems, and real victories and there is something holy in gathering together as a community laying it all down at the feet of our Father for that hour and a half on a Sunday.  It’s my favorite day of the week; always has been and I suspect always will be.

But, I was tired this morning and my body needed rest.  I played mental gymnastics with my alarm clock and in the end it won out, offering me acceptance for lying in bed just a little while longer.

As I poured my morning coffee and grappled with my guilt, I got thinking about why it is important to go to church consistently and why God wants me to take that commitment seriously and here’s what I’ve come up with:

1)      Of all the “life’s little instructions” God could leave for us, He left ten primary ones. One of which, is to set apart a day to rest, meditate on him, and keep holy.  I’m thinking he meant business on that or he would have left us another instruction like always wear sunscreen.

2)      We dedicate regular time to enjoy intimacy with our spouses and friends and need to commit to doing this consistently or the relationships die.  Why would God require less of us?

3)      Some of us dedicate several days of the week to keeping our bodies physically fit.  As we do so, our muscles are strengthened and our endurance improves.  Why would we assume our spiritual muscles can get away with a monthly workout or less than that?

4)      Half of the battle in growing our faith involves fostering relationships with other believers we can talk openly to about our struggles, our doubts, and our questions.  If we are trying to grow it in isolation, we are likely to remain stifled, or extremely misguided.

5)      Being the “hands and feet” of Christ can happen in our workplaces, or in the local shopping mall, but it’s also needed to make a church and all it’s parts work and function.  People are church. A building isn’t.  If we don’t go, church doesn’t happen.

6)   God's not physically here with us, but he has been, and his spirit is, and he works it through the physical environment that surrounds us, including his people.  He too wants to give back to us, work in our lives, and touch us in a profound way.  He does this both in and out of church. 

7)   Ever seen Avatar?  Remember the magical tree at the centre of the island that the Avatars needed to "plug into" with their tails in order to be revived, refreshed, and stay alive?  Church is to us what the tree was to Avatars.  We need it to fill up our empty tanks.

8)   We are all wired uniquely. So are churches.  Don't attend one that doesn't suit your personality and your tastes.  God wouldn't want you to eat chocolate ice cream if you like vanilla.  The flavors are limitless; find one you like.

      And so, on this Sunday evening, as I reflect on the day that has passed, I know that God is here with me just as much as yesterday, as he will be just as much tomorrow.  For his love is unchanging and not based at all on what we do or don't do.  We can't earn his love, or change his love.  Regardless of who we are or where we've been.  Whether we attended church 10 days ago, or 10 years ago.  He's just as much with you as with me.   He doesn't care to guilt us.  He's wild about us in church and out.  All week, and Sunday.  Some of us, many of us, have misconceptions about church and God doesn't expect you to be false about it, or deny your personality and desires.  But, he always wants to be closer to us.  He asks us to take steps to be closer to him.  The question is, how are we going to get there?

"If you look for me in earnest, you will find me when you seek me" ( Jeremiah 29:13)