I Don’t Want To Go To Church
I don’t want to go to Church today.
Sunday mornings make me want to worship the Bed of Divine Comfort instead of pulling myself away to worship the true God.
There. I said it.
I want to stay comfortable. I want to try and hide my sin, deep away. I’d rather come to some sort of peace treaty with it, like if I pretend it isn’t there and it doesn’t cause me to commit one of the “really bad” sins, we can just pretend it isn’t there.
If I acknowledge my sin and proceed down the path of holiness, I will become uncomfortable. But Church reminds me that the treaty will never work because sin wants to make me a slave.
“For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” – Galatians 5:1, ESV
But the Church also gives me the hope in reminding me of the extravagant price that God paid for my soul.
So, when you see me at church know that it’s grace, and I’m a sinner just like you. And know that I have struggles a lot bigger than just getting to church on Sundays and I need you to walk alongside me and help me through this life.
Because I can’t do this alone. I need you to encourage me in the area’s God has gifted me and to fill in my weaknesses. I need you to call out the sin in my life and remind me of holy life I am called to.
I can’t do this alone. I need you to encourage me in the area’s God has gifted me and to fill in my weaknesses. I need you to call out the sin in my life and remind me of holy life I am called to. #ChurchLife #Christian Click To TweetBut I’m pretty sure you that too.
So instead of pretending to be trophies in God’s display case of good people, let’s walk into the hospital that is the Church bearing the wounds of spiritual warfare, walking to the only source of healing.
“Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” – Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV
Then, let’s show one another our brokenness and trust in Christ’s ability to make us whole. Let’s love one another deeply and go through our weeks bearing the burdens of our brothers and sisters and sharing ours and knowing, in the ends, that we are one body.
We cannot hide something from our own body. It is not healthy. It is not healing. We must let go and vulnerably embrace our brothers and sisters in Christ.
We cannot hide something from our own body. It is not healthy. It is not healing. We must let go and vulnerably embrace our brothers and sisters in Christ. #churchlife Click To TweetSo no, I’m not a good person and I’m certainly not a good Christian. I can already tell you I want to sleep in when Sunday is here.
But, by God’s Grace, I’ll go to church this Sunday.
I’ll be in the pew, herding you to come alongside me and to help me in this pursuit of holiness, despite my wounds.
God doesn’t command us to meet together, to keep the Sabbath holy, to burden us. It is part of our freedom. It is how we join together to fight the sin in our heart through the Body and Blood of Christ. He has worked on our behalf on the cross and continues to work through us still through His Body, the Church.
Will you join me there? Sunday after Sunday, can we remind ourselves and each other who God is what He has done?
The Comments
kage2015
There are many reasons why people don’t go to church. Even church goes sometimes go through periods of they don’t want to get up and go. Well I don’t want to go to work either but I do it. Get up and go, you will feel better for being there.
Bailey
kage2015It does always feel better to get up and GO.
Nicole Kauffman
Powerful reminders! Thanks for this 🙂
Bailey
Nicole KauffmanThanks, Nicole!
Crystal // Dreams, etc.
It can be really hard to get to church on Sunday mornings. Even harder now when you see people sleeping in and waking up for a late brunch on social media.
Bailey
Crystal // Dreams, etc.It is hard to get up now that it’s definitely not the societal norm. But it’s so important that, even in this little way, we resist the “norm” of the world and stand apart to what God has called us to.
Shan Walker (@shanGURUwalker)
This is so honest and true. Love it. God’s grace is always enough for us – thank goodness! 🙂
Bailey
Shan Walker (@shanGURUwalker)His grace is always enough!
Andrea
The title made me curious. I enjoyed your honesty and transparency in this post. I think we can all relate!
Bailey
AndreaThanks, Andrea!
Vanessa
Our pastor recently preached on Joshua 22 and how the Israelites had to confront their fellow tribesman in their sin in order for them to remain faithful to God. As a Christian culture, it can be especially hard to be vulnerable. We all know that we sin. We all want to hide it. Going to church can make us put on a facade that everything is great and dandy when we’re really struggling with very dark things that need to be prayed for and brought to light. I’m thankful for a husband that pushes me when I feel “lazy” and don’t want to go to church. Thankfully, that hasn’t been a habit for a while and for the first time in my life I enjoy sitting under the Word of God and fellowshipping with other believers!
Bailey
VanessaIt is so important that we hold each other accountable and have the community God provided for us to work out our sanctification. I will definitely have to read through that passage in Joshua!
Kristin Cook
These a good points, Bailey. I often don’t want to go to church, but really just out of laziness. But I know I need to go, and I do go. And once I’m there, I’m glad I went. And you are right, we have to acknowledge the battle scars that we and others come with. We are broken and need each other.
TheThinPlace
Kristin CookIt is so good when we overcome our laziness and engage in meaningful relationships with those around us. I never regret it!
Jasmine - LoveLifeLaughMotherhood
i can relate to this so much!
TheThinPlace
Jasmine – LoveLifeLaughMotherhoodI’m so glad, Jasmine!
Katie Walsh Beck
Great read and good things to always be reminded of. Thanks for sharing.
TheThinPlace
Katie Walsh BeckThanks, Katie!
Kristin C
It’s pretty common that I don’t feel like going to church because I love being home and I love slow, cozy mornings, but it is so true that we need the church and when we will just get up and go, we will usually be glad we did. And even if we don’t “feel it” we still need it greatly!
Bailey
Kristin CSo true, Kristin!
Kristin's Peppermints and Cherries
I grew up in a ministry family, and my husband and I are in ministry as well. Church has always been a part of my life three times a week. It’s a place to bring our burdens before the Lord in prayer, a place to be convicted of sin and encouraged in God’s Word, a place to sing songs and worship with other believers. I am thankful for Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection on my behalf. My salvation is nothing of myself or what I have done, but what Jesus did on the cross for me. I am an unworthy sinner, but He made a way for us to have an eternal home in Heaven. Attending church is the least we can do to honor Him!
Bailey
Kristin’s Peppermints and CherriesIt’s so true, Kristin! But I think it goes beyond simply a way to respond in honoring Him – I think it’s beneficial for ourselves and our spiritual growth! I think God knew this when He instituted the Sabbath and formed the Church.