On Going to Church
I get it. Sometimes going to church gets tiring. Sometimes my kids are more work than I can get out of the message in return. Sometimes I’m three songs into the worship time before I realize I haven’t thought about God once. Not once, even though I’ve been singing His Name and making various proclamations for nearly 10 minutes. This is a screen shot of our row at church a few years ago:
But once in awhile, usually when I least expect it and when I need it the most, something happens at church that reminds me why I make that choice every week (usually more than once).
Our church is home to the Heartland Men’s Recovery Center, a ministry for broken people who need help with life’s various problems. It was Graduation night this week, and it was wonderful. There are so many beautiful moments from the evening to share, but one made the biggest impact on me. It was my ah-ha moment.
As each graduate was introduced – the culmination of at least 18 months of hard work and commitment – any family members of that graduate were asked to stand at the same time. Some men had rows of guests. Others had a few or even just one parent who managed to stick with them through the tough times. But one guy stood up alone. The director announcing him passed over the moment quickly, but not before the nearly 100 guys in the Men’s Center could stand up first as representatives of this guy’s family. They were followed shortly by the rest of the church.
In another graduate’s speech he thanked the church here for being the Body of Christ to him even though his interactions were primarily with the Men’s Center staff and members. “Thanks for always being here,” he said.
And I got that. Sometimes it’s enough just to be here.
I know there are often a million reasons NOT to go to church, and I’m not arguing any of them. Today I’m just reminded of why I go. Why I like to be here. And it doesn’t have much to do with me.
Ever since I quit the worship team to take care of our nursery several years ago, there have been times I’ve struggled with wanting to go to church. Since I haven’t felt necessarily called to children’s ministry (it was more of a “there was a need so I did it” sort of thing)it can feel like a lot of work. I often wind up feeling like church is nothing more than a part-time job that I have to do on the weekends.
But my heart suddenly changes when I see new young couples whose lives are impacted by what THEY are getting out of church as I watch their kids. I can think of lots of reasons not to go to church. But none of them have as big of an impact on me as the reasons I should.
“And it doesn’t have much to do with me.” So true – and humbling. Yet when we make the choice to go, it’s often such a big blessing. I totally hear you here.
Amen to that.
No fair making me cry at my desk when I’m back in the office environment this week!
The men’s center stood up with him! Shortly followed by the rest of the church! What a beautiful moment.
I’m with Eleanor! That man will never forget the moment when everyone stood up with him! What a great picture of the Body of Christ and the support we are to be for each other! I love it!
Great post Felic!
I loved being with the granddaughters in Wyoming/Omaha on vacation. But I hate that I missed this moment! Thanks for letting me be there vicariously.
Tears…it was so good. I am glad I am a part of something so big…even though it doesn’t have much to do with me!
Wow. My eyes are tearing up over here. I love these very holy moments in church. I guess sometimes it gets to be a routine and it’s so nice to be reminded of the magic, the reason you’re there.