January 1st is an iconic day in our calendar. Almost magically, it resets life. It gives us the second chance we’ve needed. It metaphorically turns the page on a story we’ve been eager to find an ending to. A new year gives us the permission to go bigger and dream beyond our own borders. I love January 1st!
I know lots of people that like to poo-poo on new year’s resolutions and laugh at promises to walk a different path. I get it. It feels cool to be the outsider mocking those who dare to do something distinctive with their life. But I’d like to encourage you to silence those who are comfortable on the sidelines playing armchair quarterback with your life. If you’re ready to join a gym, get out of debt, travel to Europe, take those Salsa dance classes, or you’re simply trying to get your 30-year-old out of your basement . . . I’m cheering you on!
But the real point of this conversation—especially as you’re rethinking 2021—is, decide to go to church this coming year.
Some of you, before you even finished reading that last sentence, were mumbling to yourself, “I don’t GO to church, I AM the church.” I appreciate that line of thinking. And I don’t disagree. We are the scattered, invisible, missional, neighborhood-dwelling church. But we are also to be the gathered, worshipping, serving, and joyfully submitting kinds of people as well.
For those of you still quarantining because of real health risks, I stand with you. The church cannot simply champion our right to gather without discerning the needs of those around us. Until you can meet in-person, connect with your local church online. Continue to pray for your leaders. Stay connected with friends who will continue to stir up your heart for God.
But for the thousands and thousands of you sitting in restaurants, standing in lines at Wal-Mart, and gathering in coffee shops, make the best decision you can make for 2021—go to church. Don’t just watch church. Don’t simply consume more spiritual content. Stop flipping from church to church like you’re keeping up with SEC scores. Go . . . to . . . church.
DO IT FOR YOURSELF
Let me give you a few reasons why you should go to church in 2021:
First, because you’re a big, selfish, jerk who needs someone to remind you that you’re not the center of the universe. You need someone who is anchored to the truth of Jesus who will remind you that He has come to liberate you from your sin, and frankly, from yourself. You need a weekly dose—live & in-person—of sin-killing, Spirit-empowered, mission-driven, and glory-loving sermons that won’t fit into your echo chamber. You need someone retelling the story of life, death, redemption, and re-creation. Your eyes need to be reopened to see your small living and puny American ideals. You need a pastor to stir up your affections for the glory of God.
Second, come to church for the worship. Yes, the singing. Dozens and dozens of commands in the bible to sing together, making our praises known. But I was thinking along the lines of the side-hustle of corporate worship. That is, there is a unique presence of God when we gather in corporate worship that is not usually present in our living rooms. For sure, God is everywhere and working in all places. But I can’t tell you how many times I have sat in a room with several hundred other people singing my song to God and ALL . . . OF . . . A . . . SUDDEN God breaks in, in the most unique way. Tears. Shaking. Ugly crying. All of it. God is in the business of changing the trajectory of our lives and meeting us in the most intimate way, ironically, in a room filled with people.
Third, come to church because it puts you on mission. When you come to church you will find yourself sitting next to people that don’t look like you, vote like you, dress like you, or live where you live. In every row, a single-mom or a Somali refugee may greet you. A corporate CEO or an out-of-work dad. When you come to church you are given an opportunity to serve, give, hear a story, or pray for a tearful situation that puts all things in the universe in perspective. And then you remember, “Oh yeah, I’m here for the sake of other people!”
Fourth, come to church because it could save your life. Literally. Harvard School of Public Health published yet another study revealing the physical benefits of attending church. Jonathan Haidt summarized findings to date on the benefits of religious participation: “Surveys have long shown that religious believers in the United States are happier, healthier, longer-lived, and more generous to charity and each other than are secular people.” In a 2016 USA Today op-ed titled “Religion May Be a Miracle Drug,” Harvard professor Tyler VanderWeele and journalist John Siniff wrote, “If one could conceive of a single elixir to improve the physical and mental health of millions of Americans—at no personal cost—what value would our society place on it?” What’s the point? Physical, emotional, and spiritual health can be directly tied to church attendance.
As you step into 2021, get in shape, get out of debt, and go to Europe. I’m cheering you on. But go to church too. Your life and those around you will thank you.
