#SundayisComing
I originally wrote this the week before church started back in this COVID-19 era. Sorry I waited to post it, but the truth still stands today.
Last night I had a dream… I walked into my church and heard the sound of many people talking to one another. In my dream I was taken aback — it’s been THREE MONTHS since I’ve been in a space to hear the sound of joyful fellowship and of a room of people. Even in my dream, I soaked in this sound. I miss people. I miss church.
And, I really hope that you do, too.
Christian friends, our world is beginning to reopen. I am here to warn you that Satan will be hard at work to convince us we don’t need to go back to church. He would love nothing more than for you to decide that you are doing just fine without assembling with believers at church and that you do not need to rejoin church. Hebrews 10:25 talks about being in the “habit” of assembling together and to “not neglect” this habit as some do. Thanks to sheltering in place, quarantines, and coronavirus, most of us are at high risk of slipping out of this habit, if we haven’t already.
As with most of Satan’s lies, this will more than likely be a subtle convincing over time. Every one of us is at risk of different “reasonings” but it’s all the same lie. “But I have kids and there is no nursery…” “But I can’t imagine wearing a mask to church… or to sing…” “But I have been fine spiritually without church for three months, what’s one more week…” “But it’s not like we have life groups and other functions to go to yet…” “But I’m mad the church is recommending I sign up for a seat instead of just showing up…” “But the livestream is so much easier…” I could go on and on, but you get the point.
Now, in no way at all am I pressing you to go back to church when it is unsafe for your physical condition. Thankfully, my church has started having two services, the first of which is specifically targeted for the immunocompromised. We also have specific pews to sit in at different services, a cleaning crew, masks, and other precautions. But not all churches have this and some may still be hesitant to attend for health reasons and I understand this. Or, maybe you know you’ve likely been exposed to the virus or don’t feel well — if this is you, please stay home this week!
If Sunday service is impossible to keep safe, search out some creative ways you can get fellowship THIS WEEK while being safely socially distant. Make Bible-based time with Christian friends to be your utmost priority, even if it’s a Bible study over speakerphone or zoom. Commit to yourself to come back to church as soon as it’s safe.
Maybe you read this and know you fell out of the habit of going to church BEFORE COVID-19 was even a thing. Well, has there ever been an easier time to join a church? Most services are being live-streamed so you can easily check out different churches before attending one on Sunday! None of the rest of us have been there in weeks either so we’re all going back together! I welcome you back with open arms!
And if you have wiggly, squirmy, loud kids… I do too! I have no idea how Sunday will go. We might just be there for the singing portion of the service. Dancing in the pews may happen to get our wiggles out. I may walk the aisle taking them out like a sack full of potatoes one or more times… but, at the end of the day, I pray my kiddos will see how much I love Jesus!
So, friends, I hope to see you Sunday!
