Psalm 84

Clueless. Sometimes that’s what I think of Christians in the USA. Clueless concerning our worship relationship with God that is. Check this out:

In Sudan – Especially on Christmas and Easter, Christians gather at the church for several days of worship and celebration, often spending the night at the church.

In China – At a Government approved church, services begin at 9:30 a.m. There are people lined up to get in when the doors open at 6:30!! By 7:00 the place is full, even in rooms, or outside where they watch TV monitors of the service. Although it starts at 9:30, the assembled people start singing songs and hymns hours before that.

It’s frustrating to me when we get upset that church goes over the allotted time that we have so sacrificially given up. Or stroll in late. Or choose to worship our pillow or something else instead of God. Clueless…

We sing and proudly proclaim that “Better is one day in your courts”, but too often that is not reflected in our actions or attitude. We’re in a hurry to get to a place we despise: work. And we run into traffic jams with other people rushing to get somewhere they despise: work. What a shame that the roads are so clear on Sunday mornings.

Wouldn’t it be great if there was a “rush hour” on Sundays? Wouldn’t it be great if there had to be helicopters and traffic reports, and policemen directing traffic? Wouldn’t it be great if public transpo had to run their regular schedules on Sundays? Wouldn’t it be great if everyone was in a rush to get to church? Wouldn’t it be great if our attitude was “man, I just can’t wait to get to church!”?

I’m sorry if this seems condemning or heavy handed. But I believe we are clueless of the great love for, and commitment to worshiping Jesus that our brothers and sisters elsewhere in the world have. Perhaps because it is so easy for us to worship here, and easy to take for granted, that we fail to truly cherish the time together praising God, confessing sins, receiving forgiveness, hearing the Word, and sharing in the Lord’s supper.

I would encourage you to fight that complacency about worship in God’s house. It really is better than thousands of days elsewhere. - Richard