It’s a little out of the ordinary but I found myself traveling home from church a few nights ago alone.  With my family’s absence I wasn’t concentrated on the activity in my car like normal.  As I turned on to my street I began thinking, “Wow, it’s dark on this street tonight.  Is the power out?  Who cut out the lights?”   I kept glancing around to different houses and viewed lights glowing from windows throughout the neighborhood.  It took me a minute realize what was so different.  During the Christmas season quite a few of my neighbors had placed lights on their houses and on trees in their yards.  My mind had gotten accustomed to it.  Since Christmas has passed everyone packed their decorations away until next year.  I didn’t realize how much those lights illuminated our little street until they were gone again.  Instantly I was struck with another thought.  The question came to mind, “I wonder if this is how God sees things?”  Let me explain.

I look around at churches throughout our town and throughout our state.  Some are thriving but many have found themselves in a downward spiral.  Sadly, a few have even closed their doors.  I have to admit, as a minister I’m concerned about the blanket of complacency has fallen across and has become so prevalent in our churches.  Many people I once regarded as regular church-goers have allowed things around them to steal their focus and keep them from the house of God.  Whether it’s extra-curricular activities, laziness, or any number of excuses church attendance isn’t something we Christians need to be turning our backs on.  We all know attending church will NOT get you into heaven but there’s something about being around fellow Christians.  It builds up your spirit man in a way nothing else can.   When you find yourself among like-minded people who share your struggles you realize you’re not alone.  You also have the chance to VIEW the testimonies being lived out in many peoples lives.  These real life testimonies assure you you CAN overcome.  We’re instructed in the word of God not to forsake the assembling of ourselves.  This has been instructed to us for this exact reason.  Attending Bedside Baptist Church or Pillow Pentecostal Holiness Church doesn’t count, folks.

Those weekly services we attend are not only for our benefit but for unbelievers who may choose to visit.  Matthew 5:14-16 states, “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. ¹⁶ In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”  Spiritually speaking–what does God see when he travels through YOUR neighborhood?  Is your light shining or is God left asking, “Did someone cut out the lights?!?”

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