Go to Church

It has been a challenging year. We've seen unprecedented (in our lifetime) sickness and unprecedented and unwarranted government overreach in response. We've seen riots and racist responses to racism in America. We've been through what at least feels like the most hateful political year in American history. "Your guy is wrong because he's speaking and he's evil." "Oh, yeah, well you are evil because you don't agree with me." The joke was that Trump had his finger on the red button all the time, but it feels more like America has had her finger on the red button for 2020. One of the biggest concerns of late has been the inroads into the elimination of your rights. Particularly your First and Second Amendment rights. Free speech? You Tube and Facebook Twitter don't care. You say what they agree with or you're out. Free exercise of religion? Don't you believe it; their sexual desires trump (no pun intended) your 1st Amendment rights. And, look, we all know that you don't need those guns to protect you from an overreaching government (as the government reaches farther and farther into your pocket of rights). (Hey, did you notice that there has been a real dearth of school shootings? Have we found the solution? Cancel schools? A thought.¹)

So what have we done? In the face of being told, "You don't get to practice your religion" and "You don't get to go to church" and "You are not allowed to believe the Bible on matters we deem unacceptable" and "We insist that we should be allowed to kill babies and mutilate young people and demand that you not only allow it all, but embrace it all," we have ... acquiesced. We've stopped going to church. We've stopped reading our Bibles. We've stopped speaking out for our kids and our families and our beliefs. We've bowed the knee. We don't want to play "whack a mole" where we are the moles and the culture and its watchdog government are the ones wielding the mallet. Don't put your head up; they'll give you a real headache.

What then? What should we do? We should stop. We should stop surrendering to the god of this world. We should stop bowing to the idols of our age. We should pray. "Oh, yeah, like we didn't know that." Really? I ask because it seems to me that prayer is at an all-time low among believers in general. We should be gathering together often and praying. "I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for [presidents] and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior." (1 Tim 2:1-3) And, yet, churches are not only closed, but haven't had prayer meetings for a long, long time. Why? Because no one was attending. We are told to "Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving." (Col 4:2) We "ought always to pray and not lose heart." (Luke 18:1) We should be outstanding -- outstanding in love for one another (John 13:35), outstanding in good works that glorify the Father (Matt 5:16), outstanding in showing honor (Rom 12:10). We should go to church where we can "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. (Heb 10:24-25)

"Okay, so what are you recommending?" Pray, preach, practice. The way we respond to what we're seeing in today's world is not to fold and go along with this world. This cannot be "business as usual." I know; it can be tough to be asked to pray and pursue Christ. Do it. I know the types of people you're being asked (well, actually commanded) to love. People like me -- not so lovable. Do it. I know that there are no perfect churches and no perfect people, but it doesn't change the requirement or the need. Do it. We don't bear up under these trials by folding up. We do it by standing up, standing for Christ, standing by the power of Christ. Do it.

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¹ I would suggest it's not as outlandish as you might think. Consider that the current quality of education is a constant complaint. Consider that public schools are teaching kids less and less and moving farther from reading, writing, and arithmetic and closer to teaching your children values that the modern educational system has which, by the way, are not likely yours. Consider that teachers are routinely underpaid and overmanaged. Consider that parents and not the government should be responsible for the education of their children but public schools see it quite the opposite.