First Baptist Church of Herndon

There is room for you!

Linda Soller | Apr 08, 2013

Easter has come and gone and that always makes me a little sad. On the positive side, now there are plenty of seats open in church, on the negative side now there are plenty of seats open in church. My personal opinion has always been that I would rather have people come to church only at Christmas and Easter than to never come at all. But it still strikes me as sad.

Growing up in Herndon we had family in the area. We didn’t have to travel far to be with loved ones on special occasions. That was lucky for me because as I said last week I really loved getting dressed up to go to church on Easter. I enjoyed seeing all my friends in their Sunday best. Back then people tended to stay close to home. I don’t remember my friends going away for spring break. It feels different now. So many families travel over their spring break. While the church is full it may not be filled with the regulars you are used to seeing each week. Then, almost like magic, spring break ends, the regulars return from their travels and are back in the pews on Sunday. Those twice a year folks often disappear as mysteriously as they appeared.

Why do you think we do that? If we feel that church is important enough to show up for the Christmas and/or Easter, why isn’t it important enough on the other Sundays? I already know some of the answers which include scheduling and traditions and commitments. One reason which I never hear is priorities. I don’t think I’ve ever had someone come out and admit that they choose not to go to church because it’s just not a priority for them. If we are truthful with ourselves that may be the real reason for many who don’t attend with any regularity but are inclined to come on the special days.

We are a priority for God, we always have been. When people gathered to hear Jesus speak and there was not enough food he paused to feed the people. He welcomed the chance to show the men, women and children who surrounded him just how important they were to him. He changed his schedule, traveled great distances, lost sleep, and endured pain for us. We were, are, and always will be his priority.

Easter for 2013 has certainly come and gone, but in a church in your town I am convinced that there is room for you.

Have a great week :o) Linda