Are You In a Hurry?
“Lent is a time for meditation and reflection. Lent is a time to focus on Jesus and his great love and sacrifice. Lent is a time for dying to self and Living for God.”
When you stop and think about all that is going on in our world right now with Ukraine and the global nexus - the tragedies, wars and atrocities in other places as well…there is much to meditate and reflect on and pray for – as we seek to connect with Jesus and his great love.
Having spent more time than I would like on the freeways recently, I realize there are some who find themselves hurrying practically all the time, rushing from one place to another such that there is little time to catch their breath. Perhaps others find themselves with a great deal of idle time on their hands such that they spend a lot of time deciding how they will spend all that time which currently does not have a clear focus.
I suspect that while the two poles described above may be a bit extreme, some of us can, from time to time, find ourselves near one or the other. And in either case, what is often produced is a lack of energy or interest. This can be particularly true when it comes to participating in church worship services.
“Going to church” or “watching online church” is not something we should simply do for ourselves. Participating in worship for the self is really a secondary focus. It is a side benefit if in the process we learn, grow, or are uplifted or go away feeling better than when we came. The primary purpose is that God seeks, while not demanding, for us to worship. Worshiping God is our primary focus in participating in church.
And, we also participate with and for others…for community. Did it ever occur to you that your presence, your participation, your support – and if being part of in-person worship - your listening ear, your smile, your positive word of encouragement might be just what someone else needs?
If you are able to worship and don’t, it is a decision for self. If you share in worship solely for what you get out of it, you are making yourself primary.
There’s a story of a mother and son in which he says, “I don’t want to go to church…I’m tired and the service is too early.” And she says, “But you have to.” And he says, “I just don’t want to go…and besides I don’t think everyone there likes me.” And she says, “but you have to go.” Again, he says, “But I just don’t want to go…” And she replies, “But you have to…because you’re the minister!”
In all honesty, there have been Sundays when I wish I could have stayed home…but I had to go. And I have never regretted it once…after arriving and sharing in worship. It helps me put God at the center and in the process there is renewal.
I know someone who told me how on Ash Wednesday she’d been rushing around all day from one errand and project to another. And when it came to thinking about the Ash Wednesday service, it would have been easier to stay home as she had had very little time for herself. But then it hit her that if she had time to hurry for everything else, then she needed to keep hurrying and make time for the worship service that evening. And so…she went and was glad she did. That someone happens to be my wife.
Her experience and observations are what prompted these reflections. The whole point is that with all the problems and upside down nature of our world, we need to find time to do what’s really important. “Remember the sabbath day and keep it holy.” (Exodus 20:8) Jesus said, “Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.” (Matthew 4:10)
Whether in-person or virtually…I hope to ”see” you in and as church!
Rev. Dr. David D. Young
Senior Minister