Hello ,

 

Despite the best efforts of pastors and Christian educators, many children in America still don't enjoy going to church. These kids usually reveal their discomfort through one of a few predictable habits. Some fidget in their seats; others doodle or draw; still others try to sneak in a comic book or portable video game.

But in 2009, a 7-year-old boy in Plain City, Utah, broke the mold and attempted to avoid the ecclesiastical experience altogether. To that end, he hopped in his parents car early on Sunday morning, pulled out of the driveway, and took off down the road.

Not long after, local police began receiving complaints about an erratic driver in a white Dodge Intrepid. When deputies located the vehicle and turned on their flashers, the boy refused to pull over, instead leading police on a low-speed chase through the streets of Plain City.

Sheriff's lieutenant Matthew Bell believes there is a practical reason the boy never exceeded 40 miles per hour: "His speed was slow, but erratic," Bell said. "He would kind of scoot down lower to push on the gas, and kinda sit up on the seat more to see where he was going."

The chase finally ended when the boy pulled back into the driveway of his suburban home, hopped out of the car, and fled into the garage. Later confronted by police, he finally explained the motivation behind his unexpected joyride: it was just too hot to go to church.

Please forgive me for chuckling, but after reading this article I couldn't help but think of all the people I've witnessed over the years that look extremely uncomfortable in church. I've been there myself!

Perhaps they're visiting, maybe it's been a while since they've attended, or it could be, that the world has crowded things into their lives...and they just don't feel like being there any longer.

Whatever the reason, attending church can be a real drag if we attend for the wrong reasons...and it's especially daunting if we have a sporadic (or non-existent) relationship with our Creator. Church attendance is NOT a good excuse for our refusal, (or personal inability) to have a friendship with Jesus.  

Having a relationship with Jesus Christ is the KEY to enjoying and being blessed by attending church.  Looking at the community of believers through the "lens" of relationship makes all the difference!

 

Have a great day and God bless!

 

 

Pastor Mike / The Open Word