While conversing with a brother who was very erratic (and downright sloppy) about attending the weekly services of the church, I heard this statement, “I would love to come more on Sunday and Wednesday, but I am too busy.”
One of the brothers who accompanied me wasn’t satisfied with the brother’s excuse/reply for his priority problem and said, “I don’t think you really want to be in services Sunday and Wednesday, or you would be there. Whatever is most important to you, that’s where you’ll be.”
Perhaps the above statement is a little harsh, but I guarantee you that it made the brother think more seriously about his priorities in life. He could not use the flimsy excuse of “lack of time” and had to admit (at least to himself) that lack of love for God was the real problem. He may not have changed his life that day, but the honesty of the statement was well-planted seed in his heart.
There are so many “important” activities we get involved in that we sometimes neglect the greatest activity of life… loving God and living for Jesus as Lord! Whether it’s Bible study on Sunday morning and Wednesday night, worshipping God on Sundays, or daily private time in prayer and study, if we don’t make time and take time for these spiritual matters, we are just too busy.
The early church was constantly devoting themselves to spiritual matters, (Acts 2:42). They loved being together. They loved growing closer to Christ in their walk of faith with Him. Peter instructs the new Christian converts, “like newborn babes, long for the pure milk of the word, that by it you may grow in respect to salvation.” (1 Peter 2:2)
Where are you on Sundays and Wednesdays? If you are here every chance you get, God is blessing you as you grow closer to Christ. If you are not with your Christian family worshiping and studying God’s word, what is taking priority over your relationship with God?
Imagine if the glory of heaven or the prospect of hell is determined by the quality of one’s relationship with God on earth, what will eternity be like for you? You can answer that question by answering this question, “What is most important to you?” You can answer that question with your actions, because whatever is most important to you determines where you will be.
……Mike