Where are you going Sunday morning?
The other day I coached five teenage boys at the TAPPS Division III State Swim Meet. It was a big deal for every one of those boys. Two of the qualified in individual events and the team qualified in a relay. This relay consisted of these boys swimming with adrenaline pumping, and butterflied stomachs for less than thirty seconds each. They did so well at the regional meet that they earned this spot. Like I said two boys only swam this relay for roughly thirty seconds each. Both boys parents were in the stands cheering them on. They packed their bags for a five hour drive to Mansfield, TX to root for their boys for a total of 1:52.01. Why? Why in the world would they take a day off work to watch their kid swim thirty seconds and really less than two minutes? Why would they stay in a hotel, sit in the stands for a few hours only for 1:52.01? I asked one mom and she said “Because I love him and I support everything he does. I want him to be able to say my parents were always there cheering me on. Love pure and simple.”
There are a few things we can gather from this answer.
God is always present in our lives. He never leaves us nor forsakes us. Like a parent would go out of their way to attend a two minute race five hours away God is always there. His love is unbounded. The psalmist declares, “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, our right hand will hold me fast. (Psalm 139:7-10)
We would drive out of the way for five hours to watch our own children race in a two minute race yet most people don’t want to take an hour out of a week to worship the Lord. God has shown us a great love by sacrificing himself on the cross. Why can’t we take an hour out of a week to worship the God who creates, gives, loves, and sacrifices? The psalmist writes, “better is one day in your courts than thousands elsewhere…” (Psalm 84:10) (Please note the parents mentioned above attends church weekly)