Highrock MetroWest News
| June 6, 2024
I’m sure you heard that old joke. A mother walks into her son’s bedroom on a Sunday morning, opens the curtains to let the sun in and says,
“Rise and shine! It’s time for church!”
Her son turns over, “Ah, mom! I don’t wanna go to church!”
She replies, “Come on – you’re going to be late!”
“But I don’t wanna go!”
Mom exclaims, “You have to! You’re the minister!
Similarly, I HAVE to go to church! In fact, nearly my entire life, I have been in church on Sundays. Usually because I’m the minister, but when I was in business, and even on some vacation Sundays, I’ve been in church.
And sometimes I didn’t want to go! Sometimes I had to drag myself out of bed, down a few cups of strong, black coffee, and head off…to preach!
Lately, I’ve been reflecting on that. I realize that all that time in church has actually really helped me. I’m glad I HAD to go to church! I am by no means a perfect person. I am daily aware of my flaws and failures. But I’ve wondered what I would be if I had not gone to church all those Sundays. My conclusion? I think I would be far worse. Oh, maybe not a serial killer or political terrorist. But I’m certain many of the sharp points of my character would not have been worn down by years and years of hearing…
The parable of the Good Samaritan: would I stop to help the beaten man?
The story of the prophet Nathan challenging David: would I have that courage?
The story of David being confronted by Nathan: would I be moved to repentance?
The story of Peter getting out of the boat on a turbulent sea: do I have that kind of faith?
And I could go on and on. Every Sunday, some sentence of Scripture, some words in a sermon, some lyric, some part of a prayer, challenged or comforted me, and enabled me to face the world again.
Frankly, I’m not sure I would have made it without going to church because I HAD to.
Many years ago, after church on a Sunday, I sat on a bench in front of St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church in Los Angeles, staring at a sculpture. A strong arm is reaching down from above grasping an arm reaching up from below:
I waited patiently for the Lord;
he turned to me and heard my cry.
2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock.
Psalm 40: 1-2 (A Psalm of David)
Where would I be today if I didn’t know, from all those prior years, that a Strong Arm from Above was able to pull me out of the miry pit?
So, for you who drag yourself and maybe your kids to church Sunday after Sunday – Sundays when you’re tired, burned out, bored, and distracted – more is happening inside you than you may ever know.
— Pastor George
Highrock MetroWest worship service on June 9 (Race Day) will only be at 8:45 am. Joy for Joy starts at 10 am.