“It felt a little weird coming to a church. He and his dad had only attended church twice since his mom left them six months ago—once for Easter and then the week after, as if they were about to start a new habit but never quite got enough momentum to carry things through.”
from Blur, by Steven James
There’s an interesting assumption in that quote.
Some of us go to church once a year – either Easter or Christmas.
Some even go both days.
And them some will try to start going more often.
And we likely think that’s going to win God’s favor – and it’s our ticket to Heaven.
Maybe it even is. After all, John 3:16 says –
Jn 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Maybe believing in Him matches up with going to church once or twice a year. That’s between you and Him. I’m not passing judgement on that.
However – here’s my question –
If the best we can do for God is go to church once or twice a year –
if that’s all the time we can find for Him –
then how much do we really believe in Him –
and
just how much do we expect Him to find time for us?
The rest of the paragraph that goes with John 3:16 is this –
17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. 19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. 21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God.”
If we can’t find the time for Him –
what are the chances that at the end of our lives, what we’ll here from Him is –
Mt 7:21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’
Scary words – I never knew you.
Not words I want to hear.
I’d rather hear –
Mt 25:21 “His master replied, ’Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
How about you?
What do you want to hear?
If you want to hear “well done” –
and you go to church once or twice a year –
I think you also have to question – “Do I really believe in God”?
Going to church more often just to make God think you care – that’s not going to do anything.
I’m just asking – do you really truly believe in Him – and yet that’s all the time you can find for Him?