Does it Really Matter?

We must not stay away from Church services, as some habitually do, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day of Christ’s return drawing near. (Hebrews 10:25 HCSB)
 
I must admit, in my early days, as a young Christian, I did not take coming to church on time seriously. One day, as usual, I turned in late; my pastor, in his usual voice of authority, told me to come on time to church. My ego was hurt, and that day my hallelujahs were not to be heard in church (mind you, this was a church with few people).
 
My pastor was a discerning man and later called me aside, put his hand around my shoulder and said, “Michael, I know you are offended, but I want you to know that every time you come late to church, you are actually showing how less you value the presence of God.” When I heard that I was shocked. I protested, saying, “But I love the Lord.” He gently told me, “Love and respect (value) must go hand in hand.” He added, “If you are meeting a VIP, would you dare come late? Our God is more than a VIP, He is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.” (Revelation 17:14) I hugged him and assured him that it would not be repeated further.
 
There was one more thing he told me that I would like to share with you. He said, “Michael, someday you will have a church of your own, and coming to church on time is a foundational character trait that you must develop as a young disciple of Jesus. This one single habit will impact all other areas of your life positively.”
 
It really pains me to see many walk into service after the worship is over. Now everyone has their reasons for coming in late but do you know that those moments of worship shape the very foundation of our lives. Despite this, many continue to consider the start of the service to be an optional thing.
 
So from now on, let’s be on time to church and give Him the honour that is due to Him alone. I pray that you would not be offended but rather receive this as an instruction to grow higher in God, a call to action on something that seems insignificant on the surface but truly reveals the values of our inner man.

Father, give me the grace to set my priorities right. I will honour you with my time and everything you have given me. In Jesus’ name. Amen!