Regular Checkups

I recently had to go to the eye doctor and get an updated prescription.  I first got glasses in fourth grade and it seems like my eyes is been getting worse ever since. I have pretty bad vision, and without glasses I would be in a world of hurt.  It would be easy for me to think that my eyes are the only part of my body that needs correction. But I know my heart does too.   

It's common in today's world for people to say things like "follow your heart." But the truth is that our hearts and minds need correction too. Our hearts are not faulty because of age, but because of sin. If everyone in the world were to follow and do what their heart desires, then the world would be even worse off than we are now. The desires of our hearts have been corrupted and tainted by sin, but through correction, instruction, and sanctification our hearts are brought back into God's will. Just like my eyes need periodic check ups, so does my heart and mind too.  

Weekly worship with the gathered body of Christ is one of those places I get that check up. I'm reminded of the truth of God's word, reminded of Jesus' finished work on the cross, and reminded of my call to love others in the same way that Christ loved me. I shouldn't wait until I noticed somethings wrong with my heart and my mind. Instead the regular gathered worship of the church helps me make sure I don't go off track.   

I never outgrow my need for this gathering either.  Without weekly worship the world begins to look different to me, like it does when I don't have my glasses on. And it's harder to see, harder to focus, nothing is as clear as it used to be. But weekly worship helps me see things as God intended us to. Through the proclaimed word and the corporate worship the priorities of our life are brought back into focus. 

So if things have looked a little fuzzy this week, or if it's getting hard to see where God is working around you, or if you have struggled with sin this week and don't feel worthy of God's love, then there's only one prescription: the gathered worship of the body of Christ. Even if the past week was great and things are going well, the worship of the church will keep our hearts and minds focused on Christ. I urge you to find your way to your local church this week, and get the clarity of sight you need to make it through the next week.