What Is Getting You To Church?

Wsfchurch - July 25, 2024

HELLO FRIENDS,

I recently had the opportunity to hear a pastor speak and one of the questions he asked made me think. He asked What is getting you to church? He went on to explain when he was in his adolescence, it was basketball. Basketball was the thing getting him to church or as close as he desired at the time. His mother’s consistent attendance at church every Sunday played a huge role as well but the true driving factor behind his presence on Sundays was the local basketball court.

He told stories about when his family would arrive at church, his mother would go inside and he would find himself at the basketball court until the service was close to being over. He would then head back to church and the box for his attendance that week would be checked. For this pastor, basketball got him to church but unbeknownst to him, it was what Jesus was doing through basketball to meet him. Slowly but surely he began to want more than basketball could offer and not knowing what was missing he decided to trade the basketball court for attending a church service. His life was forever changed and he was ready to accept Christ as his Lord and Savior. Basketball now took a backseat to the longing he had to be in church filled with people who were after the same thing.

His reason for going to church had become something much deeper than initially. No longer was basketball his reason for going, he now attended church to be filled with the Holy Spirit. His relationship with Christ became his primary focus, and he soon felt called into ministry. He stressed the fact basketball was what initially got him to church but now he can see it was how Jesus needed to get through to him, in His timing. Matthew 6:33 “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” God is ready for you to pursue Him. Having a relationship with Him should come before all else.

I share his testimony with you because it stirred something inside me and I believe there may be others who are asking the same question. It is acceptable to take inventory of the Whys we all have and self reflect on the things causing us to feel drawn to or pulled away from the church. Some of you reading this can confidently answer your Why but there might be others who just like this pastor have found themselves coming to church for various reasons such as basketball, not even realizing your heart is searching for something more. Maybe it’s for friendship. Or to hear amazing worship. Some might come to fulfill a familial expectation of attending church on Sunday mornings. It could even be for the basketball court like this pastor. No matter how you answer, God has plans for you, plans you might not be able to understand or even see right now. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:11. He is asking us to trust him. Trust his plans and believe wholeheartedly He is working everything out for you.