This topic has been on my heart for a long time. Years, even. Long post…
I want to start by saying I’m not perfect, and I’m constantly identifying areas in my own life where I can shift my focus more toward God and His will. I do, however, want to encourage folks (even strongly so) to do the same. Put God first. Prioritize church over other stuff.
I’ve never in my 45 years of life heard anyone say they regretted having their kids in church. I’ve never heard anyone say they regretted putting God first in their lives. I’ve never heard anyone say, “I wish I played more sports on Sundays,” or “I wish I’d skipped more services to sleep in.”
On the other hand, I’ve heard folks say things like, “I’ve missed so much, I’ve lost my fellowship with Christ. I wish I had made it more of a priority to keep Him first, to be in church with His people.”
I also want to say that being in church is not the be-all and end-all of the Christian life. If church is the only place and time you get in your Bible, pray and fellowship with your Creator, your Savior, you’re doing it wrong. But I’ll also say that being in church is a very important part of the Christian life. Hearing the preached Word of God, corporate worship, singing His praises…all of those are important!
Hebrews 10:23-25 says:
23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
I’ve seen where folks leave the church because they get so caught up in these other things. Those things take priority in their lives. I’ve also seen where folks leave the church because they were brought up in church and never allowed to miss church for these other things. My belief, not knowing the heart, is that in both cases these folks never had a strong relationship with Christ Himself. Are they saved? Maybe. I do not know the heart. But when a person has a strong relationship with Christ, they will *want* to follow Him. They’ll *want* to serve Him. They’ll *want* to be around His people.
How do I know this? Folks may call this anecdotal evidence, but I’ve seen it in my own life. When my relationship with Christ suffers and starts to take a back seat, my desires toward Him and His will also fade. When my *personal relationship* with Him is stronger, these things literally fall into place. The best way I’ve heard this said is that, “He satisfies, but He also makes you want more.”
I can’t say it strongly enough – please don’t let sports, sleep, hobbies and other activities take place of being in church! I promise you’ll never regret it.
I’ll leave off with this quote I’ve seen floating around for a while now…
Church should be the reason we miss things…not the other way around.