MOSES WAS NOT IN A CHURCH

worshipping when he heard God’s call. He was tending to business. It was not a holy day. It was an ‘every day,’ a workday that became a ‘holy day’ while on the job, when curiosity drew him to a burning bush.[1] There God called him to help fulfill one of the great needs of every person: Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.”[2] And in doing this, for the next forty years this eighty-year-old found meaning and purpose he could never have imagined.

 

IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN

the 7th day. Or maybe the first day of the week. Whatever day it was, it became a transformational day. A holy day. A day in the life of Moses he would never forget. Later, God commanded the children of Israel to observe a special day, a day of rest, one out of every seven, set apart for rest from work and to worship the only true God. This day became known as Shabbat for the Israelites. Later still, followers of Jesus chose Sunday to be their day, commemorating Jesus’ resurrection from the dead on the first day of the week. These were a kind of “burning bush” days for followers of the only true God to celebrate him.

 

So what day out of seven is special for you as a day to celebrate the only true God?

 

HOLD ON. I WORK

like a dog six days a week. If you’re talking about Sunday, well, Sunday is my day. It’s the one day in the week I can count on for a little peace and quiet. And remember, some people have to work on Sundays, so forget celebrate. Think recuperate. Besides, Moses couldn’t possibly understand the kind of week I just lived through.

 

What good reason could Moses give me for getting up early on Sunday morning? After all, the idea is a “day of rest,” right? What Jehovah told him up there on top of Mount Sinai about keeping a sabbath? That was for my benefit. Don’t go all legalistic on me. God said I should rest on Sunday. So why should I mess up a perfectly good day off in order to put down the sports pages, miss a really good game, help get the kids or grandkids ready, and hit the road to church with family?

 

What Moses probably could never understand, being from another period in history and all, is that if I want to get a shot of religion on Sunday, I can tune in a church service and relax at home in my robe and slippers. Convenient Christianity. Isn’t it great? I don’t have to leave my favorite chair to go to church these days. And think about the time and energy saved. I don’t contribute to global warming by driving my vehicle to church on Sundays, and I don’t get involved once I’m there. So it’s a win-win, if you ask me.

 

YES, I KNOW THIS IS THE WAY

we sometimes feel, but the truth is, it isn’t good enough. Not at all. Do you catch the spirit of Moses’ prayer in Psalm 90? He is asking the Lord to embellish your everyday with a satisfying awareness of his love. And not just on Sunday. It’s the way every day can begin.

 

Have you ever wondered at what point the Lord’s day became our weekend? The day originally set aside for our spiritual re-creation has become the number one day for physical recreation. Some of us include him in our weekend plans if it is convenient, but sadly the list of the things taking precedence over his inclusion continues to grow.

 

IT IS A CONTRADICTION OF SORTS

when we who are followers of the only true God do not find our walk with Jesus to be as satisfying and rewarding as it once was. If celebrating his unfailing love really does make a difference, it will be a priority in each believers life, right? It must.

 

An early morning personal time with the Lord, of even a few minutes, can set the tone for the rest of everyday. It can make everyday the ‘Lord’s Day.’ Scripture reading and prayer is an age-old formula for inspiration and perspective. It has worked for generations before us in the shaping of a faith that sustains the practical levels of one’s life. It can work for us, too. For our children. For our spouse. And it’s  culmination happens every Lord’s Day when the whole family comes together with the larger faith family to celebrate our love for Jesus.

 

LOOK AT IT THIS WAY.

Would we faithfully work out with our team and then show up for only half of the games? If during the weekdays we “work out “our salvation, there’s no way we can afford to miss celebrating our love for Jesus on his day.

 

Being together with others in worship on Sundays can be the highest and best moment of the week for Jesus’ followers. Blending our voices with others in songs of joy and praise. Lifting our hearts with others in reverent worship and thanksgiving. Come on, I know it’s tempting, but don’t become a spiritual “couch potato!“ On the Lord’s day, on any day, don’t vegetate … celebrate. You might experience your very own “burning bush” day, when the only true God calls on you.

 

May Jesus keep us close.

 

[1] Exodus 3

[2] Psalm 90:14 — This Psalm is attributed to Moses