Psalm 122:1 
I was glad when they said to me, \\
“Let us go to the house of the LORD.”. (NLT)

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I like going to church. 

People like you and me gather just as we are to know and experience God in worship. Yes, it’s possible to worship on the lake, in the woods, or on a golf course. It’s not likely, but possible. It’s almost exclusively not the intent. Prayers for a big bass, a big buck, or a big swing are not quite the same thing as prayers for big salvation, big revival, or big renewal. 

It’s probably best to pray on the lake, in the woods, and on the golf course on days not called Sunday. Worship is not a Sunday-only event. It is a lifestyle. It is for every day that ends in -day. The thing about Sunday is found in the quote in this verse.

“Let us go to the house of the Lord.”
(Emphasis added)

Bass fishing from a boat is usually limited to three people at most. Deer hunting from a stand or a blind is usually a solo venture. Golfing groups max out at four. The fellowship may be good alone or in limited company, but there is nothing like looking around a room and seeing and hearing ordinary people like us seeking, praising, and thanking our God. 

I love to sing, but nobody nowhere likes to hear it, except Our Father in Heaven. That’s why I enjoy attending a large church with lively music. I can sing as loud as I like without offending anyone. 

Singing on a lake scares away Big Betty Bass. Singing from the deer stand prompts Billy Buck to take an alternate path. Singing on the golf course is a good way to get a seven iron upside the head. 

I love pondering God’s words of truth and life. I can do that on the lake, in a blind, or when lining up a birdie putt. I do all of these. Well, I haven’t been hunting in a very long time. I haven’t swung a golf club in three years due to neck, shoulder, and back surgeries. Additionally, I haven’t lined up many birdie putts in my golfing career. 

Every Sunday, however, I can align myself with the preacher who reads, interprets, and applies God’s words of truth and life with us. I can hear what God says and make plans to do what he says. I can anticipate better days as I attune my heart to his. 

People like you and me with problems like you and me and with families like you and me gather for worship every Sunday. We don’t do so because we are better than anyone. We do so because we want to be better than we are. We come just as we are so that we can leave more just, more merciful, and more grateful than when we arrived. We want to carry our best selves into every other day. 

We want to bless others as we have been blessed,  enrich the lives of others as God has enriched us, and live with a song he plants in our hearts. We want to live aligned with God’s truth and attuned to his perfect love. 

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I will worship every day in every place, especially on Sundays, with those who know and love him. 

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Our Father, thank you for Sunday morning worship. Thank you for people in process who gather to express their love to you. Thank you for allowing us to come to you just as we are and learn to live the life of your dreams for us. Thank you for recreation, employment, chores, and meals. Empower us to make the most of each of these opportunities. Empower us as well with the life-giving habit of gathering for worship Sunday by Sunday. Amen.