I mean really–Why Bother Going to Church?
You get up early all week and go to work. A lot of the year you get up in the dark and come back in the dark. The wife has been waiting to talk to an adult the second you walk in the door. And the kids…well, they are just kids.

So, you need a rest come the weekend. The weekend. You might get an extra hour sleep on Saturday—if you’re lucky. The regular chores are there, and the lawn needs cutting. And then all those extra things need attending to. Why does everything keep breaking? Uh oh, forgot Heather’s soccer game and Summer’s dance recital. Well, that takes care of Saturday. Finally, Sunday. I mean a real day to rest. Sleep in. Read the paper. See some real sports. Go Niners!

Oh yeah, then there is Church. I mean really–Why bother going to Church? What’s in it for me? Get everybody up, fed, dressed, and finally in the car. We made it. And you know it’s pretty good. The kids are behaving pretty well, and kind of listening. Wow, not too bad!

So, back to the original question—Why Bother Going to Church? Is it worth the effort? What does it mean to a guy like me?

Well, Church is a place to fill up that small space that you see everyone trying so hard to fill. Look at the world around you. If you are like me, you will see a lot of people rushing around “trying” hard to have a good time—no, a great time!—and yet, there always seems to be something missing. They never seem to fill that little hole in their heart—no matter how hard they work at it.

So, what is that thing that is missing thing that we are all chasing about looking for? Nothing that we do seems to be enough. Not success in our jobs, super vacations, hobbies, possessions. Even as good as it is to spend time with family and friends it doesn’t seem to fill that small space.

It is a hole in our hearts that can only be filled by God. And the Church is the place where we can open ourselves up to receive the grace that God offers all of us. It is a recharging station for us and our families each week. Do we need a regular recharge? Yeah, I think so. Church gives a place to recenter ourselves, and to begin again. I find a contentedness (is that a real word?) when I attend Church each week. A place to come together with others to celebrate the gift of God.

So, should you Bother Going to Church? I would say emphatically YES! It is a place to fill that hole that we all have in our hearts. A hole that only God can fill.

Come by next week and say “FILL ‘er UP!” And there is always next year for the Niners.