Psalm 122
Too many people look on church attendance and participation from the perspective of whether or not they get anything from it. The worship service may not be stimulating, and the sermon may be boring, so we rationalize that it doesn't do us any good. We may consider the people who attend to be hypocrites whose lives do not reflect what they profess on Sundays. But we must remember that it is not about the style of worship, the sermon, or other people but our relationship with God and worshipping of Him. Our focus should be on Him, and regular participation in corporate worship is essential to maintaining the focus of our daily lives.
Hebrews 10:24-25 says,
24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
We must not succumb to a self-centered perspective on church membership and attendance as if it is about us and what we get out of it; we have an obligation to others. The church is a context for us to encourage and minister to others that we all might live out our faith in the world more effectively.
Hugs and prayers
Izzy
izzy