It was time to go to grandma’s. Why do you go? Because the whole family is going and it doesn’t matter how you feel about that? Because you love going to her place, so of course? Because it’s a family obligation — this is just what we all do?

It’s Sunday, why do you go to worship? Is it an obligation? Is that what good people do and you’re a good person? Are certain people looking forward to you being there and will miss you if you don’t make it? Is that where you fin love at a deep level?

Is that where you can give love in a way that’s kind of cool—to welcome, to ask about people you know have struggles, to sing and pray and listen for God together?

You know, in my opinion, it’s not a bad thing to go out of obligation. Not every Sunday will be life-changing. But you do things today because they will probably pay off in the future. Not so you’ll go to heaven. God doesn’t give out brownie points that add up to eternal life. But what difference may it make if you worship regularly? What difference has it made?

How are we supposed to do church when we get there? Are we to act like a movie critic, grading what everyone else does but never wondering, “What am I supposed to be doing? Is this all about me and my enjoyment – or lack thereof?”

Paul writes [1st Corinthians 1:10-18] about rival groups which have tainted the whole congregation. Am I even partially responsible for guests at church picking up the ‘smell’ of divisiveness?

Jesus [in Matthew 4:12-23] points out how we fish for people together. How am a part of how people are welcomed and how they have the love of God shared with them?

Will these questions affect how we prepare for worship this Sunday – other than just getting there? Will I decide now how often I will worship with the congregation or will I just go with whims on Sunday morning?

See you Sunday!