Showing Up Matters

     

There are Sundays when coming to church feels easy. You’re rested, encouraged, and just ready to get into the building to worship our God. And then there are Sundays when just showing up feels like a chore. You’re tired. You may not want to be there. You may be distracted, burdened, maybe even discouraged. But you came and you worshipped anyway.

     That matters more than I believe we often realize. God has never required His people to arrive or to live with everything figured out. He understands our struggles. He understands our heartaches and distractions (He lived them out, after all)! 

     Even still, He has always worked through people who were weary, uncertain, and still willing to listen. Sometimes the best thing that a struggling Christian can do is simply sit in a pew, open a Bible, and say, “Lord, I’m here to worship and focus on you.” We have to recognize that, and applaud it for what it is.

     Our world measures everything by productivity and visible results. But God values us, even when it feels like the best than we can produce is just another small act of obedience to Him. Worship, even when it is offered up in times of mental, physical or spiritual trial, is still worship nonetheless! 

     If today you feel strong, thank God and encourage someone else. We have many within our number who need the encouragement to be in worship on Sunday. If today you feel worn down, and you are reading this either online or in person, don’t assume you don’t belong here. You belong here just as much as the preacher does.

     The church is not a gathering of people who have it all together. The church is an assembly of normal every day people just trying to please an awesome God. The Church is meant to be a family. A family that is learning to trust God  and live for Him in union together.

     Whether you come on Sunday full of joy or full of doubt, your presence matters. Your presence matters to the congregation, to your preacher, and most importantly to God. You matter- so let’s act like it!

Written by: Mason MacDonald