Because Sometimes We Don't Want to Go to Church

Do you ever wake up surly on Sunday morning?  Or you are fine when you wake up, but by the time you're walking out the door and something (or some people) are holding things up, and crankiness and anger well up within you?

There is so much to celebrate on the Lord's Day!  We've been brought from death to life because of what God has done for us in Christ.  We have an inheritance that will never spoil, perish, or fade.  God has placed His Spirit in us to guide, convict, and encourage.  Being a child of God is amazing.  Nothing short of amazing.

But there are grumpy Sunday mornings, aren't there?

You arrive at church to all those beautifully dressed people with their smiling faces and you hope they don't realize what a jerk you are, how much you don't want to be there.  You slump into your seat, hoping the sermon is short so you can get home and into clothes that better express your mood (sweats and slippers!)

But you know what, grumpy one?  You're in exactly the right place: with the people of God in the presence of God.

Worship takes our eyes off of ourselves - our troubles (petty and real) and our mood (good or bad) - and focuses us on God.  The One who saves, because without that we have no hope.  The One who is majestic and holy and beautiful, and calls us His own children through Christ.

Grace melts the hardness within.

I do hope you're not feeling grumpy this morning!  If you are, however, you're in good company.  I venture to guess that I've sinned big time most Sundays before getting to church - even when I'm in a good mood!

Thankfully God does not change like our moods.  His love is steadfast, His salvation sure, His forgiveness real, His desire to change us relentless.

God bless you as you enter the sanctuary this morning.

These things I remember
as I pour out my soul:
how I used to go with the multitude,
leading the procession to the house of God,
with shouts of joy and thanksgiving
among the festive throng. 

Why are you downcast, O my soul?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise Him,
my Savior and my God.

Psalm 42:4-5