I know what you were thinking yesterday! Yes, I know you said to yourself that the Monday Short was not really “short.” Well, I will make up for that today. I’m for real this time!
Ponder on this thought. Many people look at what they can get when they attend church on Sunday mornings, as opposed to what they should be giving. Hold up! I’m not going to talk about tithes and offering, and I am not going to focus on the giving of your time, talents, and treasures. No, I am referring to being considerate of others by your presence in the place of worship, and by doing so you will be giving them hope, confidence, and you also will be imparting the fact that true faith does not falter no matter what one faces.
Everybody is going through something, that I’m sure of, my friend. So, when you faithfully attend on Sunday, regardless of whatever is your problem, predicament, perplexed condition, or possible nagging physical condition, you will give encouragement to somebody else who is being tempted to stop pressing on, tempted to cease pursuing righteousness, or tempted to cancel their commitment to the climb.
It is not even the middle of the week, but I felt urged to encourage you to return to your place of worship Sunday. One more thing! If you are one who has faithfully been attending services, when someone who has been absent returns, don’t say anything negative, not at all. Just rejoice in their return, perhaps let your words and greeting be influenced by an inner feeling similar to that of the prodigal father on the day that his prodigal son returned home. You can do it! For you yourself have been received back when you have had a failing in life, taken back to where you belong by our prodigal God, one who is a spendthrift in mercy! Hide this meditation in your heart and respond in the way that it speaks to you. Be blessed!
“And when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.’ And he arose and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: and bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to be merry.” (Luke 15:17-24 King James Version)
Committed to the climb,
Mark L. King