Every few months I’ve come to expect a phone update from the company that produces my cell phone. I never know what’s coming. Recently, I updated my phone and discovered a new feature that, frankly, freaked me out. As is my habit, I woke up this past Sunday, got myself ready for church, and went to my car to begin my trip. As I approached my vehicle, I heard my phone make a foreign noise. Once inside, I glanced down at the screen. The display informed me my trip to (insert the street name) would take 14 minutes. This street is the exact location of my church. I immediately questioned, “HOW DOES MY PHONE KNOW I’M GOING TO CHURCH? HOW DOES IT EVEN KNOW TO SUGGEST THE ROUTE I SHOULD TAKE BASED OFF CURRENT TRAFFIC?” After some consideration and research, I realized the suggestions are based off my habits. Apparently, the phone update had placed software on my phone that was meant to track my habits/routines and offer helpful suggestions to aid me in my travels. This instance caused me to reflect over my daily routines. After some consideration, I realized I AM predictable. As a child, my routines, habits, and travels were (more or less) dictated to me by my parents. Upon becoming an adult, I’ve found value in those lessons and I stick to much of what I was taught. This thought instantly made me realize the importance of how I’m parenting my own children and the types of things I’m teaching them.

As a child, I was taught the importance of living a Godly life. Part of that teaching focused on my personal time with God and daily devotions. Even more important, part of that teaching focused on the importance of church attendance. Will church attendance get someone into heaven? Absolutely not. But can church attendance be beneficial to your spiritual growth? Absolutely!! We’re taught in Hebrews 10:24-25 (NLT), “²⁴ Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. ²⁵ And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” Gathering together with fellow believers in a church service or outside of those meetings should be more than a habitual action. Gathering as a body is (and should be viewed as) a necessity. Something happens when we come together and sing praises to God. We receive the encouragement we need to stay strong and strive forward, especially during those season’s hardship. There’s value in living in community and doing life together. These scriptures remind us while in the presence of like-minded Christians we can receive (and give) encouragement and motivation to continue our journey. We become motivated to do better and be better. We become motivated to love harder and help those in need. For Christians, church attendance must be a “non-negotiable.”

Closing remarks and encouragement: The enemy comes to steal, kill, and destroy. He’s always looking to attack those who have pulled away from the pack. When we distance ourselves from fellow believers, we open up ourselves to even greater attacks. Our Christian journey, while requiring some purposeful and soloistic actions on our part (personal prayer, Bible reading, etc), is best lived together in fellowship. Find a church family. Get yourself rooted in His word and in a fellowship of believers. Become predictable!  I assure you, it’s the best decision you’ll even make.

Photo by Carolina Jacomin on Unsplash