Why do we go to Church?

Today, I was asked if I could help someone with a small dilemma. Their kids were away for the weekend, visiting Grandma, and would be attending church elsewhere. It was just this woman and her husband, something that doesn't seem to happen often. Should they go to church or not? 

It may seem to some like an odd question. Why wouldn't they go to church? To others it may seem an obvious, "If you have to ask, then you probably shouldn't." For others, well, you can relate. Through out my life, I could've given any of these responses. Today, however, my heart immediately turned to God and asked, "How should I respond?"

Whether it was Him who answered, or something else, a response came instantly.

"Are you going to church because you want to or because of what others will think if you don't?"


I followed this with a suggestion. "I believe you should spend time growing, together, in the Lord, today. Whether you do it at church, at home, at a picnic, or somewhere else. Let his be a day of growing, together.

My first point:

We have this mentality of all or nothing. We're either all in  and fully dedicated, serving in every way possible, (which isn't really a bad thing) or we're not in at all. The truth is, there is a happy medium. After all, going to church doesn't make you a Christian anymore than not going keeps you from being one. Though, I do believe, (and this is biblical), that it is good to gather together with other believers for the purpose of growth and worship.

Maybe that is in a Sunday service, or even a Wednesday, or possibly a Tuesday or Thursday... Get it? The day doesn't matter. Jesus had church any day and anywhere. So why do we go? Do we go to church because we are led to, by the Holy Spirit, or because we are afraid of being condemned by those who are all in, for not being?

I go to my church, not because I have to or because I'm afraid. I go because I believe that God moves in the heart of my preacher man. That the Holy Spirit inhabits our time of praise and worship, together. I go because I like the people and being able to be a blessing to others. I know I don't have to go and truth is, I don't always. Though, rarely because I don't want to. Usually when I don't want to, that is when my spirit needs it most.

But church isn't just in the building I go to on Sunday mornings. It is in my van, with my daughters, in the mornings as we wait for the bus. It is in my kitchen, with my sons, as we learn and grow together. It is during my mom's night out, with my friends. It is every time I gather together with another believer and share my faith, listen to them share theirs, and as we sharpen each other as iron sharpens iron.

I don't go to church, simply to have the word given to me. I take of it on my own, every day. I try to apply it to my life and try to learn and grow. I go to church, because I want to grow alongside others. To be there for them and allow them to be there for me.

My second point:

I can't emphasize how important it is for a couple to spend time growing and learning together. Whether it is in the Lord, in their other interests and hobbies, or as people, couples should be joining together to thrive, instead of just surviving.

The couples I, personally, know, who seem to enjoy their lives the most are those who do just that. They share growth, learning, ups and downs, forgiveness and grace, joys and sorrows, interests and hobbies, and so much more. They have made what is important to the other important to them, even if simply because it is important to the other person. They lift each other up and encourage each other, striving to find the good and accept the bad, (even if they don't always want to.)

Take time, today, with your partner to grow, learn, and love each other more. Church can be had, even if it is just the two of you. After all, a marriage is suppose to be an earthly visual of our relationship with God. We need to take care of it, every way we can and what is better than bringing God into the center of that effort?

Parent/Teacher

     It's funny, sometimes, how things come to our attention and change.

     Today, as I taught a class of pre-schoolers, I was faced with the challenge of how to handle a strong-willed child. A child who was not my own. To show her that, though I respected that she had feelings, rules were rules and she still had to follow them. That it was ok for her to not like it. I also had the opportunity of teaching her a lesson on consequences, refusing to budge on my decision, regardless of how hard she tried to get me to. Basically, showing her that I was indeed a solid wall, a stone that would not be moved.

     It wasn't easy, in fact, I did feel a bit bad when she started to cry. My saving grace was the growth I've seen in this child every time I work with her, because I refuse to be moved. Each time she listens better and better, fights less and less, and respects more and more. I don't tear her down, or try to break her. I simply stand my ground, with respect towards her and who she is.

     As I worked with her today, I realized something disappointing. If she had been one of my children, I would've waved my white flag, out of exhaustion and frustration. I know this, because I've been guilty of it so many times. As I told her to sit in her chair the way she should, I didn't settle for her laying across it. Had she been one of my kids, I would've thought, "Well at least she is on the chair, I'm done with this battle. I have too many other things to deal with." 

    Time and time again, my children have gotten surrender from me and now, I am dealing with the consequences of that. Lately, I have been standing my ground, more and more. It hasn't been easy. The easy thing is what I've almost always done. Giving up too soon. Instead I've been trying to look ahead to the possibilities for things to change, if I will just do something different than I've always done. To be strong, bold, and confident.

      As disappointing as this is to realize, it also gives me faith, hope, and the strength to continue to persevere. To stand my ground and let my kids "hate me." for now. Believing, someday, they may grow to benefit from my willingness to change.