Uh Oh...I didn't go to church today!

Did you go to church? If you said yes, what was the message/sermon about?
How were you able to apply it to your life and day?

If you didn't go to church today, what was the reason? The truth is, if we don't go to church then no matter who you are, there is a reason. I'm not here to justify what is, and is not, a good reason to go to church. I didn't go to church to go. Yesterday a friend asked, "Will I see you in church tomorrow?" I explained she may, or may not because I was helping a friend. If we finished in time, I planned on heading to church for the service and to hear our guest speaker and enjoy the potluck. We accomplished the task but after church was over. I'm glad I was there to help.

Long story short, as the title of this blog states, I didn't go to church. Some might want to comment and reprimand me because the Bible is clear we are to enjoy corporate worship and go to church. I agree with this but I also believe that God knows our heart and mind, more than any person on earth.

I've thought about this in the past, if I have a friend or family member in need but I say, "Sorry I can't help you, I have to attend a church service. If you are still in need in an hour or so I'll be back."  What kind of message does this send to them? Did I share a positive or negative witness of who God and Jesus are? Sometimes I think we get caught in a legalistic trap of "must do's" at church and forget how much Jesus loved people and was never too busy to help someone in need. 

I'm not saying to skip church and go to the beach but when a friend is in need and asks for help, isn't it okay to thank them for asking you, then help them? The friend who needed a hand knows I go to church each Sunday and thankfully she knows if she needs me, I'm there. I don't have to wait until Sunday to pray, praise, worship, and receive a message from God - I can do this everyday from the comfort of my home or wherever I am because of the relationship I have with Jesus.

I did miss the fellowship and worshiping with other Christians but I also spent the morning and day with other Christians who sacrificed attending church in order to prepare a family friendly time of fellowship and gathering for our colleagues. I miss the church service when I'm not there but I'd rather "be" the church than a bad representation of God's love for others by closing a door God might have opened. You never know the connection, conversation, or friendship we might miss, by a "no".

Have you ever missed church to help a friend?
Will you share how this made you feel and/or the blessing experienced?