Back in March and April
I started to see I was getting out of shape because I wasn't getting to go to
the gym and play basketball anymore. I
decided I needed to start an exercise regimen.
I reluctantly climbed on the treadmill and began running. I ran a mile and thought this will never end. I began to increase the distance after a
couple of weeks.
Soon I was up to a
couple of miles. Then three miles and my
time to complete the distance was taking less and less. I was following up the treadmill with
calisthenics. I felt better and had
more energy. I was able to sleep better
and was getting stronger. I knew it was
good for me even though I dreaded taking the time to complete the exercises.
Then one day I skipped
doing them. (I had too many important things to do!) I thought I'll continue
tomorrow. The next day I had another
important project to complete. The truth
is I was looking for an excuse not to have to take time to exercise even though
I knew it was good for me. It reminded
me of church.
In my last fifty or so
years at ECC these are some excuses I've heard for not attending:
·
My family is home. (Why not bring
them?)
·
I've got to fix dinner.
·
I don't like the preacher.
·
I've got to go somewhere Sunday
afternoon.
·
I didn't agree with the sermon.
·
The church is full of hypocrites.
(What’s one more? :)
·
My car broke down.
·
The sermon lasted ten minute too
long.
Well it reminded me of
my lame excuses for not exercising. When
we make excuses to not attend church (even though we know it is good for us),
we were probably looking for a reason to not attend anyway. And just like my quitting my exercise
regimen, it will leave you weak! “And
let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage and
warn each other, especially now that the day of His coming back again is
drawing near.” (Heb. 10:25 NLT)
--Alan
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