Sweeter

So - for a few weeks, I've been considering a question that should be simple to answer. It is one for which I know the reasons but have a difficult time putting them into words. The wording has been coming to me little by little but today it occurred to me that I'm making the question much more difficult than it really is. When singing with my womens ensemble in church, I realized - the song we were singing is the easiest, most accurate answer I can give. The song title? Sweeter.

Now for the question.....

Why do I go to church?

My struggle with this question was not really that the answer is complicated but more so with the questions that I could anticipate coming with it. I have had my own inner struggle over the fact that church is not always a wonderful place to be. I can't promise anyone that it will be a drama free zone. It is not always entertaining and the people there are not always pleasant. In fact, it can be the exact opposite at the times you need it to be your comfort. It is not perfect, nor will it ever be. I have known people that go to the bar at a certain time every week and meet with a specific group of people. In a way, that group has more comfort in it than any church group ever will - and I don't mean because of the alcohol. Many "happy hour" friends become closer than family. They build trust over time and have similar values in common. But I would venture to say it is rare for those friendships to stand the test of time. They are there for a season - while the bar scene fits your lifestyle or until your friend starts going to AA. (kidding.... but there is always that risk in a relationship of that nature)

I began to wonder as well if I go to church because I always have. I grew up going to church. Is it simply something my parents ingrained in me? While I do believe that is a small part of the reason, it is fractional at best. My brother is not a faithful church member and he was raised the same way I was. And I'm sure if I think for awhile, I can come up with many other traditions, habits or rituals my parents taught us that I did not continue as an adult. For instance - dressing up for holiday meals..... I prefer to spend most holidays in my pajamas :)

Do I attend church so my children will get a good religious/spirtual education? or even for free babysitting? That 2nd one was kind of a joke but I heard a lady talking to her friend in the dressing room at a clothing store yesterday and she remarked - I have 7 kids now (due to remarriage) - my kids go to church so I can have a little free time! Sad, but oh so true - and to some degree I think I'd be tempted to do the same if I had 7 kids! However, I don't have 7 kids. I have 2 really great low maintenance teenagers and lots of "me" time so that is not my reason for going to church either.

So why do I go? Why subject myself to the same old Bible stories I grew up hearing in Sunday School? Why go see the same old people every week? Why go sit a listen to a boring sermon? Why sing staunchy old hymns? And why above all else, do I want to associate myself with all those hypocrites???

And all I can say is that its just sweeter. Life is sweeter with a little spirituality mixed in. Religion has been around since the beginning of time. Its an institution that is rich in tradition and full of history. It nurtures my soul - even with the hypocrites mixed in. And the thing is - while outsiders may not really understand until they're a part, I think most of them see glimpses of this sweetness in most of us or they would not be curious. They like to throw out questions like the ones above to prove that living life their way is pretty sweet too - but I'd venture that deep down they are missing something. They have a void that just isn't filled by the world. They can't possibly know that those questions above are based on myths.

Can I promise they won't be bored? No - not every Sunday. Can I promise the music will be catchy and upbeat? No - not every Sunday. Can I promise that they won't encounter a few hypocrites? No - not ANY Sunday. What I can promise is that after attending for awhile, they will gain an understanding that we are all hypocrites, and that religion and spirituality may not always be fun and upbeat BUT that God loves us more than we could possibly comprehend and that He gave us church as a place of comfort and rest and friendship. Church is a place where we learn about His promises and come to know our family. It's like Cheers - where everybody knows your name - only better because it ties in more than our social need - it intertwines it with spirituality and teaches us about faith and grace.

So back to the simple answer. I go to church because life is sweeter that way. The lyrics below pretty much sum it up:

Everyday with you Lord, Is sweeter than the day before

Everyday with you Lord, Is sweeter than the day before

Every morning I will worship, Every evening I'll adore

'Cause every day with you is sweeter, sweeter than the day before.

It's also because of God's many promises. He is the only one who makes promises without conditions. He has made a new covenant with us. Unlike contracts that we enter into with people where the contract is broken by the failure of one party to adhere, God's covenants or contracts with us are in effect whether we hold to them or not. God holds to them regardless so His covenants only require the faithfulness of One. This passage pretty much sums it up in my mind:

Jeremiah 31:31-34

^31-32"That's right. The time is coming when I will make a brand-new covenant with Israel and Judah. It won't be a repeat of the covenant I made with their ancestors when I took their hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt. They broke that covenant even though I did my part as their Master." God's Decree.

^33-34"This is the brand-new covenant that I will make with Israel when the time comes. I will put my law within them—write it on their hearts!—and be their God. And they will be my people. They will no longer go around setting up schools to teach each other about God. They'll know me firsthand, the dull and the bright, the smart and the slow. I'll wipe the slate clean for each of them. I'll forget they ever sinned!" God's Decree.

Just as most of us gravitate toward the sweeter foods, so I gravitate toward the sweeter life with God. And if you have salty taste buds instead of sweet - Jesus just happens to be that too - "Salt of the earth". His love gives the right seasoning at the right time and He taylor makes it to suit your particular taste or craving. In my mind that's just SUH-WEEEEEET !!!!