07/15/2018
Article from the July 15 Sunday bulletin at Northside Church of Christ in Farmington NM by Chuck Marshall.
Prepping
I’m prepping for Men’s Gold Rush which is next week (Thursday – Sunday, July 19-22). I’m gathering up all the things which I will need to have the most enjoyable adventure. If I don’t prepare, I could end up wet, cold, hungry, and sleepless. If I don’t have fun, I probably won’t attend next year.
People who don’t prep for Sunday assemblies may find themselves in a similar situation. People who don’t enjoy worship assemblies may have failed to prepare properly. People regularly stay up late on Saturday nights or cram so many things into Saturday that they are too exhausted to attend worship assembly. Those who manage to drag themselves out of bed often ruin the joy of worship with a heated family argument before arriving at the worship place. A few of these experiences, and they are likely to give up worship. Isn’t it interesting that we tend to quit worship rather than the other activities which lead to our exhaustion and fighting?
If we truly want to honor God, exhort our fellow Christians, grow closer to Jesus, and to be filled with love, faith, and hope, we must make some preparations. Let’s limit our activities on Saturday so that we can be home and in bed in time for a good night’s sleep. Let’s rise early enough in the morning that we may have time for a cup of tea or coffee as we read the Bible, pray, and meditate. Don’t stuff more things into your schedule on Sunday mornings. Most things can wait until after the assembly and Bible study.
If you’ve never thought of prepping for worship, try it. I know that you will find the worship assembly more enjoyable and rewarding by prepping beforehand. I am certain that I am going to have a great time during Men’s Gold Rush. I’ve planned for it and expect nothing less. Perhaps, we may find the same at worship assemblies for which we plan with a positive attitude.