I’m going to shock you. Sometimes I don’t like Sunday. There! I said it! The 6 days before Sunday and the 6 days following Sunday are so busy, I want Sunday to be not busy, not scheduled, not just one more must-do-or-else. I thought Sunday was to be a day of rest. I don’t want to go to church. Well, I can rest at home. And so can you. Well hmmmm…..that’s true, but it’s also false. Here’s why. If we stay home from church we can lounge in our PJs, drink coffee, and hang out in front of the TV. For anyone reading this who can’t get out to meet God at church, we can be thankful for Bible teaching ministers who spread faith and the love of Christ that way. Turn off the news and switch to In Touch, Day of Discovery, or livestream the service of a Bible believing local church, anything but the news. (believe me, it is just a rerun and it will re-run again) Now back to our story. It’s Saturday, you have time for this. Grab another cup of coffee and lean in.
When we stay home on Sunday, we don’t rest. We think we are, because remember – we are home in our PJs. But then we look around and see clutter to destroy and put away, laundry to fold, dishes that didn’t make it to the dishwasher last night, dust on the TV, and what’s that under the couch? ERGH! Oh come on! How did that candy wrapper get under there and Oh geeeezzzzz there’s a melted Snicker Bar in it! Are you with me yet? But it’s still true. We are home, in our PJs. Here’s the thing, dear friends. Spending Sunday morning at home sounds wonderful and it’s true if we stay home, we can lounge around at our own pace. But this is what we get when we get up, get dressed, and get to church. BLESSED, spiritually fed, relationally strengthened, and encouraged. Remember those 6 days before Sunday? Our joy cup starts running a little low. Sunday with the Savior in His house is the filling station. It’s way better than a triple shot Starbucks latte or big gulp slurpee. And everything in that joy cup is calorie free. (just thought you’d want to know that) Jesus said, Come unto me, all you who labor and are carrying heavy burdens and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28. While we are in church, Jesus does an overhaul on our spirit so joy can flood in – and refill our depleted joy reserves for the 6 days following Sunday. Spiritual recycling!
There is nothing wrong with taking Sunday off – off the schedule, off the frenetic pace, off the must-do task list. But for 2 hours on Sunday when we need to be encouraged, when we need to immerse ourselves in music that soothes our souls, when we crave the energy that can only be ignited by spending time with God, let’s not take that time off. Let’s get up, get dressed, and get out there where we can Be still and know that God is God. Psalm 46:10. Let’s go to church and listen to a message spoken from the Word of God and center ourselves for the days ahead. Psalm 146:5 “Blessed are those whose help comes from God and whose hope is centered in Him.” Only 2 hours – that’s all. Sunday morning with the Savior. Come casual. The only thing required of us is an open heart. God will do the rest. See you in church. For all of you who worship on Saturday night – that counts. You’re just ahead of me, as usual. Let God speak to us today, and urge us to prepare to spend time with Him tomorrow.
The More I Seek You by Kari Jobe