Circuit Thoughts

It is hard to believe that summer is almost over. It seems like it just got here. Parents are getting the school supplies together. Kids are trying to avoid thinking about the start of school. Many of the athletes have already started checking in for the fall sports. Teachers are already in their classrooms preparing for the coming learning experience.

Churches are already looking to Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas to prepare for the celebrations that are coming. It is a busy time.

But it’s always busy, isn’t it? Some families are trying to get that last bit of visiting in, and some are just trying to get the last bit of relaxing in before their schedule is dictated by outside forces. Busy, Busy, Busy.

I know there is a lot going on, but don’t let that interfere with your church time. I have noticed more and more that church keeps taking a back seat to other activities. If something must be given up, church is put on the back burner. If a child’s homework is overwhelming, they stay home from church. The one thing that should be a priority becomes forgotten and eventually lost.

The writer of Hebrews understood this problem, which is why Chapter 10 verses 24 and 25 were written. “And let us watch out for one another to provoke love and good works, not neglecting to gather together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other…”

The point is attendance in church and worship are important to both you and your children. The teachings of Christ lead us all to be better citizens and more community minded. We are called to keep attending church, even when the world keeps us busy.

And honestly, I’m not too sure that we aren’t being played. The powers of the world would love for us to be too busy to make it to church. It gives us excuses that are perceived as legitimate. These excuses will keep us from worshiping and participating because they will emphasize the wrong things.

The world tells us that we must be busy to be a success. Christ says success is putting your burden on him. The world tells us we must do everything in our power to learn how to depend on ourselves. Christ tells us to depend on Him. The world teaches you to go it alone, Christ says, “Follow Me”.

Hey, I get it. I was one of those parents that shuttled kids from point A to Point B. Trips to soccer field, music lessons, teacher conferences, ball games...yes, Susan and I kept busy. It’s easy to do. But, if it weren’t for the church both before I became a minister and after, we could not have done it. The church support was great.

Be sure when you make time for everything else, church is on that list. Make church attendance the priority and fit everything else around it. I can honestly say, church will be the best thing you can do for your child this year.

Just a thought.

Shalom my friends. See you in church.