My mom has this story about hiding from her parents while she read a book on Sunday afternoon. She read secretly because she grew up in a church tradition that was militant about how you spent Sunday. Sunday was reserved for church and sleeping and little else. They were not allowed to watch television or read pleasure books. They could only read their Sunday School papers and the Bible. Laughter was discouraged.
My mom grew up with an unfortunate extreme.
But, I doubt that many people listening today are too rigid with the Lord’s Day.
As a matter of fact, we have gone into the opposite ditch. For many, church attendance has become an elective behavior that we do if our health is perfect and it happens to fit into our recreational schedules.
My friends, we are treating church attendance on the Lord’s Day far too casually. True: attending church does not merit or earn us salvation. We are saved only on the basis of grace. And, there are legitimate reasons for missing church services.
But, God never intended that His people would sporadically attend church when it fit into their schedule. The Bible specifically commands us to not forsake being together with His people.
You do not want to miss the incredible blessings of being consistently with God’s people. It is not worth it. If you are not consistently attending church, you are giving up way too much.
Unfortunately my work schedule does not allow me to attend Sunday services. I really do miss church.
I could go on Wednesdays but most churches in my area are doing away with mid-week services opting for in home bible studies instead.
As a young girl, I could always count on mom’s standard Sunday dinner. Fried chicken, mashed potatoes with gravy, some sort of bean and cornbread. From the above I am sure you have gathered I am a southern girl! I miss that and I thought I would never want chicken on a Sunday again. lol
I have noticed a cavalier attitude towards church among prodigal Christians as well. I often hear the old adage, ” I can worship God anywhere. I don’t have to be in church.” While this is true, I agree with your post. We miss so much by not being in the body. We are to encourage one another, lift one another up, pray for one another. How can we do that if we are not together in God’s house?