Because He Says So…

Confession.

I was tempted to bypass community church this past Sunday in favor of home church.

But, and it’s a big but (no pun intended because “ya’ll” know I love puns) honoring the Sabbath with a body of believers is good.

God says so.

The bible encourages us not to forsake it.

“And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” Hebrew 10:25 NLT

And yet sometimes it is easy for me to do just that.

This past weekend was a perfect case in point. The end of a jam-packed, six month, show choir season reached its apex on Saturday. We wanted to treat a big, ol’ batch of amazing kids to some fun  so we rented out a pool and swam…till late.

Our eyeballs saw 2 am. The siren of home church was calling loudly. And yet, the verse above played in my head.

Do not forsake meeting.

I began to present my case to Him regarding the merits of church at home. When I wondered why He seemed adamant about community church He simply said;

Because I said so.

Before I continue, I need to clarify a few things regarding my family and home church. There are folks that honor the Sabbath in their homes on a regular basis.

For some, they have yet to find the right community church. For others, the driving distance is a major obstacle. (The Midwest offers the gift of space! However, sometimes that can translate into 45 miles between you and the nearest church.) I have friends for whom church at home is virtually a necessity, not a choice.

The home church I grew up in consisted of three people. My mom, my sis and myself. Home church was our best option. I’ll reiterate, I loved it.  Some of the most pivotal moments in my faith occurred in those intimate Sabbath services.

HOWEVER, unlike my mother, Doc and our tribe have a community church we love. It takes five minutes to get there. When we opt to celebrate church at home we have to be very careful that it’s out of obedience instead of laziness.

Which brings me full circle to what happened this past Sunday.

I thought home church was a viable plan. But every time my internal dialogue turned towards the way I thought our Sunday should play out God countered.

I began to think,

He must have something to say in our ‘other church’.

He. Did.

Days before I’d been on my knees broken over the same old thing. Pastors words were prophetic…only in reverse. How on earth could he have known the dialogue that had occurred days prior between God and I?

I left convinced that our Pastor’s sermon had been meant for me.

Fellowship with God and our family may have been sweet and intimate at home that morning but I would have missed the proof that God heard my cries.

Imagine if I hadn’t asked God for his opinion regarding our Sunday worship? Even though His response was less than thorough (“Go because I say so.”) He reminded me that,

Even when I don’t understand the “why” or the “what” I can always trust the “Who”.

The “Who” is a good God who always…

Always,

Always!

Want’s the very best for me and you.

Ask me. I’ll answer. If the answer is ‘Because I said so.’ then trust me…there’s something good in it. ~ God

{Today’s post was my take on Suzie Eller’s word prompt “But if you say so.” Be sure to visit her #livefree community when you get a little down time this weekend. She and other amazing women are sharing their perspective on this not so little prompt!}

Your DoAhead Friend,