A Peaceful Yet Unpeaceful Sunday Morning Drive

This past Sunday morning, I got in the car at 8:05am to drive to church by myself. I was singing on the worship team so Tom would bring the kids at 9:30 when church began. And oops...I was supposed to be at church by 8:00! Ok..I digress..that is not part of the story!

Anyways, I was driving along smiling because everything was so peaceful. the sun was shining, the birds were chirping, there were no kids yelling or taking toys from each other in the back of the car, and there weren't many people to be seen between my home and my church. Then it hit me. There weren't many others on their way to church. My peaceful attitude quickly changed and it has been on my mind ever since. 

Now, I do realize, I was leaving early and many people go to church at different times, but still, it made me think of how most people these days spend their Sunday much like they spend their Saturday. Back in the day, everyone went to church. It was expected. When was that lost and why? When did it become acceptable to sleep in on a Sunday morning or schedule other things in place of going to church?

Do not misunderstand what I am saying. I do NOT believe that going to church is what saves you. I most definitely believe that we are saved by God's grace, through forgiveness of our sins, by believing that Jesus is the one and only Son of God and accepting him as our Savior. Nothing more, nothing less. 

Ephesians 2:8 says, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God" We are NOT saved by works (doing good, going to church...etc.). However, I do see commitment to church as EXTREMELY important. As Christians, we need fellowship. We need growth. We need encouragement and We need to meet together to worship!

Hebrews 10:24-25  ^"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,  not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."

I realize that we all have things that we struggle with and have fault with, and trust me...there are plenty of things that I know that I need to allow God to change in me, but going to church on Sunday morning just isn't one of them. It just doesn't occur to us in our household on a Sunday morning that church is optional. It is something that I love and look forward to each week. I would never want my children to be out of the habit of going. I think that part of the reason that it has never been an issue for me, is that we went to church every Sunday. Not only going, but serving within the church and setting an example for me. As a child, it was enjoyable to me and I loved it and so far, my children feel the same way. 

It is important to Tom and I that as our children grow and get involved in more and more that they will not be involved in activities that occur on Sunday mornings. It just won't be an option. I really hope that if you are reading this and this is an area of your life that you struggle with, you will be encouraged to change it. Make God the priority in your life. Realize what example you are setting to those around you. Understand that if you make time for the Lord, He will make your schedule work out. If you are "too busy" than consider cutting something out that is not as important. Sure we want our kids to be involved in things and we want to as well, but it is more important that they form a relationship with their Savior that is lasting.

Wow...all that from a drive to church.