Yesterday, a family walked to our church for our Sunday afternoon Spanish service. There’s more: They live four miles away from our church. They left their apartment at 10:30 a.m. to make it to our 12:30 p.m. service. After church was done, they walked all the way home. Four more miles. Would you do that? There’s even more. You might expect this “family” to be a young couple who wanted to enjoy the nice weather outside. Actually, the family included a 71-year-old grandma and two 2-year-old great-granddaughters. And they walked eight miles to go to one church service. Would you do that?
I wouldn’t. How easily don’t we come up with reasons—excuses really—not to hear God’s Word, whether at church or in our homes? “The weather’s too bad—or too nice!” “The ______ are playing, and I’ve got to see the game.” “The kids are involved in this and this and this and there just won’t be time.” When you sit back and look at your excuses, are any of them good? Are any of them worth more than God and his grace? I doubt it. It reminds me of the family that once told me, “Don’t worry, we’ll be in church whenever we don’t have something better to do.” How do you think that makes God feel? Worth it to walk? No way!
This faithful family on Sunday reminded me of the attitude of some believers in the Old Testament. They wrote, “Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere” (Psalm 84:10). For them, hearing God’s Word and praising God for his grace and mercy was better than anything else on earth. They’re right, aren’t they? In the midst of your hectic life, do you need to hear that God’s in control, no matter what? That Jesus loves you—you!—enough to die for you? That God thinks you’re so special that he calls you his daughter or his son? What’s all that worth? “Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere.” I’d say it’s worth it to walk to church—even eight miles! May this family from my church—and God’s grace to you in Jesus—lead you to take advantage of every opportunity you and your family hear to hear God’s Word. It’s worth it!
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