Often, first thing in the morning, I work on reading scripture, or reading hymns and sermons by various writers, in preparation for my own message-writing. I love it. It centers me and makes me more God-oriented throughout the day. I am such a flawed individual, and I often lie awake at night thinking about the wrongs I have committed and the absence of enough rights. But when I turn to prayer and scripture, I am enveloped in the peace and love of Christ.
How do people live without that? How do people exist in thinking that humankind or science or nature or wealth or knowledge are the highest orders in society?
Young people are not attending the mainstream church to which I belong. Out in the world, I hear anti-religious sentiments. We are antiquated, and hypocrites, and unnecessary. Even people my age attend occasionally but without commitment and finding easy ways out (hurt feelings, too busy, I don't need church to be spiritual).
Yet, this is what a church can offer: It can help you think and examine spirituality. It can provide a multi-generational community with a sense of neighbourliness and love. It can raise up common goals. It can be fun as you work and sing and give together. It can dish up a sea of humanity that is a microcosm of what you see in the world and help you learn to accept and love in spite of yourself. And church, through sermons and Bible studies, can help you understand the Bible in a way that will impact so many aspects of your life.
I am not always uplifted by a particular sermon or Bible reading or Sunday experience. That's on me. But, when I keep attending church, when I keep reading scripture, when I keep singing the hymns and when I keep reading and conversing about God, I know that insights will come, joy will surge and hope will become constant.
How do people live without that?
