Today was the first day we had been inside our church in a long time.
As I sat there listening to one of our youth leaders sing, I thought about how happy I was to finally be back.
I had missed the people. I had missed my piano. I had missed worshipping together.
But as I sat there, so happy to be back, God convicted me.
I felt Him saying,
“Love Me.
Love Me more than you love being here.”
God knows my heart.
He knows I love Him.
But He also knows I need to be reminded of what is most important.
And that is ALWAYS Him.
“Love Me more than you love being here.”
Is God telling me that church isn’t important?
Of course not. He created the church. He died for the church.
The Bible tells us, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:24-25
Meeting together is important. Encouraging each other and coming together to do good works is important.
The Bible tells us, “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.” Colossians 3:16
It’s important to teach each other. It’s important to praise and worship God.
The Bible tells us, “When you come together, each of you has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. Everything must be done so that the church may be built up.” 1 Corinthians 14:26
It is important to come together and use whatever God has given you. You have a part in building the church.
But, “Love Me more than you love this place.”
How do we do this?
If we love God, we love others. If we love God, we follow His Word. It’s not enough to love church. “Faith without works is dead.” James 2:17
We’ve got to do more than talk the talk.
This means loving the not-so-lovable.
Forgiving others.
Giving your time to help others.
Praying for and with others.
Doing whatever you do with all the ability God has given you.
We must do this every single day. We must show God Monday through Saturday how much we love Him.
