Back to Family

BACK TO SCHOOL FAMILY

Let me just admit right up front: last year at this time I wrote a very similar article – not the exact same, but similar. (Yes, I’m admitting to plagiarizing myself!) But the same notions always hit me this time of year. Summer is so fondly anticipated…then it’s gone! Then, sadly for many 6 years old and up, school is back in session. It’s a bittersweet thing for me. I love summer, love my kids being out of school and home (for now), love the vacations and events of summer. However, I can’t deny the desire to get back to a “normal” schedule. What does that entail for you? Back to school means…what? Back to routine; back to homework; back to normal office hours – maybe all the above. Let me encourage you: make it also mean back to consistent times of worship with the Lord and your church family.

            In Mark 12:30 Jesus reminds us our devotion and love for God is to be with all our being – “…love the Lord your God with all your heart…soul…mind and with all your strength” (ESV). Jesus says we’re to love God with all our time, effort and energy. It’s easy to get distracted from our spiritual lives. It’s easy to forget to spend time in God’s word and to forget to devote some time to prayer. And it’s easy to get in the habit of missing worship assemblies. One who truly commits to loving God with their all, however, will embrace every opportunity to spend time with Him and with His people. We all know there’s no “have-to” command to assemble on every Sunday night and Wednesday night. But, the real question is: why wouldn’t you?! Why not take advantage of each chance to be fed from God’s word and to fellowship with your Christian family? I suppose you can say you don’t “have to” be in worship services every time we assemble (although, truthfully, I’m not sure then what Heb 10:24-25 means…). Regardless, brothers and sister, let me strongly encourage you: make this time of back to school and back to schedules also mean back to deeper devotion to God and to His family – to your church family. You may not need to be in your worship assembly every single time; but, I need you there. You’re my family.