Thank God for Church

I am occasionally reminded of the importance of church.  The bottom line is that we need each other.  On our own we will often wallow in self-pity, pride and just about anything in between.  On our own we will be lonely and tend toward despair. 

Being in a church does not automatically fix any of these things.  But it gives us weekly opportunity to help others avoid such things, and most of all, it reminds us that we are not alone.  We all are in the struggle together until Christ returns to make it all right.  It allows us to be encouraged to know that we ask the same questions as others, or that someone has gone before us and asked the question and may have an answer that helps us in our time of need. 

Since it is March Madness, I wonder if a basketball team treated church like we treat church.

"I don't think I will go to practice today, I feel a little tired.  I will just go next week."
"I can't believe that last week Bob made that mistake.  I am not going to the game cause he might make it again."
"I was really hurt when someone in the crowd laughed when I missed the shot.  I think I might just stop playing basketball."
"Someone on my own team fouled me.  Can you believe it.  All basketball players are hypocrites."
"I am too awesome to need practice.  I am just going to show up at games and prove how awesome I can be without any help."
"I have nothing I need to work on, why would I go to the same practice as everyone else.  There needs to be something for my level."
"I don't really want the basics.  They seem beneath me.  I want some complex strategies to challenge me.  I don't really care where the rest of the team is, they need to cater to me."
"Who needs a coach, we can really lead ourselves right.  We know what is best for the whole church."
"They had the audacity to ask me to stretch.  Me.  I am the loosest player I know.  I don't need to stretch."
"The coach actually asked me to help pick up the balls after practice.  The young guys should really be doing that."

And we would laugh at any player who talked like this and they would not be on the team for very long.  And yet I have heard all of these things from various people over the years said in some way shape or form about church. 

So be reminded today that church is not about you.  Church is about you coming to offer yourself in service to Christ for the benefit of a body that includes you.  There will be a benefit.  There will be people who serve and help you.  But it is not about you - it is about Christ and therefore it may be the most important thing you do this week!