It Seemed So Important

                    “He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day
                                        he went into the synagogue, as was His custom.”
                                                                    (Luke 4:16 NIV)

Fred Craddock tells the story of a young woman, 28 yrs old, at St. Mark’s church in Atlanta, who spoke to him after worship.

She said to him, “This is the first time I was ever in church.”
“Really” he responded.
“Yeah.”
“Well,” he asked her, “How was it?”
She said, “Kind of scary.”
He said “Kind of scary?”
“Yeah.”
“Why?”
And she said, “It just seems so important. You know, I never go to anything important. This just seemed so important.” (1)

How right she was – is. There is nothing more important than hearing about Jesus Christ and his love, grace and forgiveness. For 178 years that has been the job God has assigned the people of Princeton UMC – sharing the Gospel message.

Sometimes in the day to day frustrations of work, I find myself majoring on the minors and losing sight about what we’re here for. Maybe there are times when you get weary doing church work too. Then I remember that most Sundays we have 1-2 visitors that come searching for something important... searching for Jesus. While some individuals come to church for more information, most come for formation; not for the meaning of life, but for the experience of something, Someone more important than them. Something so important it will reach into the depths of their souls and profoundly affect them, now and eternally.

Every Sunday, we get the opportunity to be part of something more important than ourselves. It may not necessarily be earth-shattering all the time, but it should be the most important hour of your week, because worship is the primary place where people meet God. It is a holy occasion that requires your attendance, not only for your sake, but also for the sake and souls of others. Who knows what person will walk in our door and because you are here, will feel the connection of Christ and his divine importance in their life?

Prayer: Eternal God, thank you for the great privilege of being part of your church and pointing others to Christ. May we be faithful in fulfilling our job. In Jesus' name. Amen.

In His Word,
Reverend Dee Dee

(1) Fred B. Craddock, Craddock Stories, (Chalice Press, 2001), pg 132.