There are several things important to organizations and individuals that do not get proper respect. One of them is faithfulness.
Faithfulness is amazingly important. In the high tech world of today we all ought to have more time to take care of the most important things. Our world is defined by instant communications, instant answers, and almost unlimited data available from just a few key strokes or a few spoken words on the most common tablet, phone or computer. Our world is also defined by the number and complexity of our labor saving devices. In fact, there are few truly completely manual chores left in the modern western world. It seems almost every task is automated fully or nearly so. We don't hunt or gather or plant, walk or run or carry, oar or pull or drag hardly anything. Fossil fuels and the internal combustion engine and renewable fuels and the electric motor do for us things that until the 20th century were mere dreams. So what does this have to do with faithfulness? Well, it's about available time and priorities.
If I could make a plea from the standpoint of any pastor of any church it would be this. Make church attendance an absolute top priority. Be faithful to church. Your pastor, the other members of your church, but especially you benefit greatly when you are dependably faithful.
I have observed many common characteristic of Christians that have successfully built strong overcoming faith. One is relentless faithfulness to church. Church is where they were encouraged to stay the course when times were difficult and challenged to forge ahead when times were good. Church is where they were encouraged by the uplifting lyrics of spiritual songs and hymns. Church provided a place to experience the heartfelt prayers and hear the inspiring life lessons of others. Church was the place of learning of essential spiritual lessons from Holy Spirit inspired sermons. Church is where their burdens were shared and where they learned to bare the burdens of others.
Church time for them was not negotiable. If the church was too far away, they moved closer or found a new church. If their job required work on Sunday they would bid a different schedule or find a different job. They simply refused to allow anything to keep them out of church. They were FAITHFUL.
Faithfulness to church attendance is like faithfulness in marriage in this way. You have to develop many interpersonal skills. You have to learn when to speak your peace and when to to be quiet. You have to learn to be tolerant and forgiving. You have to learn to do more than what you think is your fair share. You have to learn to allow people space to grow. You have to develop thick skin. You have to be willing to accept change. The list is a long one, but can be summed up in the idea that faithfulness to church requires personal growth.
This is a broad subject and this is a short blog so let me wind this up by saying faithfulness to church is a choice that brings results. As 21st century Christians let us use all of the resources available to us to free up time to be faithful to Church. Our spiritual advancement requires it and our holy Savior deserves it.
Your friend,
Bro. Jerry
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