The Sunday Morning God
Most Christians understand that God has interests that extend beyond Sunday morning. Daily, millions of people around the world invoke the name of God, sometimes in prayer, sometimes on other “sacred” occasions such as after stubbing one’s toe, losing a bet or being pulled over on the highway. Yet, if you were to ask many people what defines or determines Christian commitment they would reply going to church.
As a priest I regularly meet people who seem to believe that Christianity is principally about Sunday. I say this because of the comments I typically hear from folks, “I don’t go to church” , “I know I should start attending church,” “we don’t do the church thing anymore,” “I’m sorry I missed church on Sunday, my dog ate my alarm clock,” etc. Of course, going to church, being the Church, at worship, is very much an important part of the Christian life – but it is not the entirety of that life.
A God who can only be encountered in the gathered community is a God who is absent to the ordinary believer during the rest of the week. Yes, people pray, but often people struggle to find real, deep and meaningful connections to God during their week. Is this because God is limited to gathered times of worship or because we – here meaning generations of Church leaders – have failed to teach people about how to encounter God during the remaining 6 days and 23 hours a week? God is eternally present. God is always seeking to get our attention. So yes, God “attends” church, but God is also available to believers as they jog along the side-walk, or sit at the board room meeting, or argue with a loved one.
How can we as Christians be aware of God’s presence beyond Sunday? How can the gathered church (worship services, Bible studies, social gatherings, etc.) help prepare or encourage Christians to encounter God when they are not together?
Very interesting questions, Br. Kevin!
ReplyDeleteI believe that Christians have to make an effort to be aware of God's presence in their life. It isn't an exercise that in which anyone else can remind them. They have to want it.
It can be as simple as having a religious image as the wallpaper for their cell phone or computer screen. Or wearing a crucifix that hangs long enough to bang against objects whenever you bend over!
Our BCP has daily devotionals that are short enough to memorize and pray as they jog, drive or sit at a desk.
A million ways to be aware of God. The first step is to want it.
Yes, Susan, a million ways and more to be aware of God. God truly is everywhere when we choose to be aware. The evil forces of the world are also jumping in to get attention, unfortunately, often succeed. The light of God does shine through the darkness allowing the seeds of faith to grow when we keep our eye on God.
ReplyDeleteTo Listen in solitude and silence and take what I hear out into the world. Sometimes this is hours, far away and a sermon. Sometimes this is 5 minutes with a cup of coffee at the kitchen table and a kind, encouraging word to a neighbor. When I am unsure, I whisper to myself. Lord Jesus, Be Thou Me. We are there to remind people: Praise God above all...Bless all others...and Preach with all your life. Sacred is the call. Awesome indeed the entrustment. Tending the Holy. Deo Gratias.
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