Today’s Bread ~ Hooky

Hebrews 10:25 – And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage and warn each other, especially now that the day of His coming back again is drawing near.

I skipped church this Sunday.

No particular reason, just didn’t feel like going.  I had all the excuses I needed: Poor night’s sleep, exhausted after a week of serving in several other ministries, just needed a morning where I didn’t have to rush. 

My husband was going to skip with me, but then our 5 year old daughter came bounding down the stairs with her clothes and shoes on, hair and teeth brushed, eyes and smile sparkling.  Mike looked at me, “I can’t disappoint her,” he said.  “You stay home.  You’ve earned a day off.”

Done.                                                                                                                             

As Mike and Caitlyn left, Nick and I packed up the stroller.  To ease my nagging conscience, I loaded a sermon on my iPod and away we went.  Jog to the park, play awhile, jog home.

With every plodding step the guilt increased.  I glanced at the time: 9:37am.  At that moment, I knew the praise team was leading worship, singing praises to the King above all kings.  I felt a direct punch to the conscience.  I thought about the work our pastor puts into each sermon, pouring his heart and soul into the words, seeking the Holy Spirit’s guidance all week long.  Another jab.  I thought of my neighbor, whom I’d spent an entire 10 minutes convincing to give our church a try, knowing she was there and skipping anyway.  A knockout punch to the soul.  Words penned by the author of Hebrews nearly two-thousand years ago echoed through my mind: And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do…

By the time my husband and daughter arrived home I had myself in a sorry state.  Mike didn’t help matters by chirping, “Everyone wanted to know where you were!” the very moment he walked through the door.

Why does it matter to God where we worship?  I can praise Him by myself in the car.  I can read the Bible on my own, and I can listen to sermons all day long.  Why does God care so much about gathering in a public place to worship?

Because we are the Body of Christ.  Romans 12:4-5 – Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body.  We are all parts of His one body, and each of us has different work to do.  And since we are all one body in Christ, we belong to each other, and each of us needs all the others.  We need each other.  We need each other’s prayers and encouragement.  We need to laugh together, and sometimes weep together.  God did not design us to face life on our own; we need friendship and fellowship.  And more than anything else, in this day and in these times, we need to meet with others who are striving to make one name great: the name of Jesus Christ.

Because His Spirit is multiplied when we gather.  Ephesians 1:23 – And the church is His body; it is filled by Christ, who fills everything everywhere with His Presence.  Jesus told His disciples that “where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.”  And God’s economy is not like ours.  When we give God our money, He multiplies it.  When we give Him our time, He does the same.  And in much the same way, when we come together, He fills us far beyond what the containers of our hearts can hold.

Because we were made to worship.  Because God brings about fullness of joy through our songs and praises.  Psalm 84:1-2 – How lovely is Your dwelling place, O LORD Almighty.  I long, yes, I faint with longing to enter the courts of the LORD.  With my whole being, body and soul, I will shout joyfully to the living God.

It occurred to me yesterday, while playing hooky, how mankind tends to busy himself.  We make appointments for the doctor, the dentist, our hair, and nails.  We set dates with our spouses, our friends, our clients or coworkers.  But when it comes to meeting with Jesus, either in the Bible, quiet time, or public worship, we fit Him in when we feel like it.  Making excuses.  Putting other things first.  Procrastinating and postponing the only One who can fill us with lasting joy, instead of momentary happiness.  The only One who offers peace beyond human comprehension. 

Let us not neglect our meeting together.

Psalm 85:10-12 – A single day in your courts is better than a thousand anywhere else!  I would rather be a gatekeeper in the house of my God than live the good life in the homes of the wicked.  For the LORD God is our light and protector.  He gives us grace and glory.  No good thing will the LORD withhold from those who do what is right.  O LORD Almighty, happy are those who trust in you.

Heavenly Father, I confess that I have put other things and myself in front of You.  Please forgive me for it and help me to always seek You and Your Kingdom first.  God, You are the only One who can truly fill us.  You are the only One who can satisfy and sustain us.  Please keep our feet on the path of life.  Please keep a close grip on our hearts, and please pull us back quickly when we try to go our own way.  Help us to be diligent with fellowship and worship.  Help us to be quick to love and quick to serve.  Touch our eyes, that we might see things from an eternal perspective.  Help us to give You the first fruits of our time, our talents, and our finances.  We love You so much.  Thank You for loving us with an everlasting, unfailing love.  Thank You for Your Son, who spilled His blood that we might be reconciled to You.  May we never take His sacrifice for granted.  It is in the beautiful name of Jesus Christ that we pray.  Amen.