This past Sunday I was sitting in my normal section(like a good Baptist) waiting for the service to begin.  As I sat there waiting, Kristie Hawkins entered along with their two sons Caleb and Will.  They all said hi to me and took there seats.  After a few minutes Will turned around and started with this question:  “Why are you here?”  I looked at him, smiled and said:  “Well, I’m here to sing and worship God and listen to God’s message from Bro. Jeff.”  Then I asked him: “Why are you here?”  He thought for a moment and then said:  “the same.”  With that he turned around.

That thought permeated my mind that morning and has continued ever since.  Why do we go to church?  Here are some reasons I have thought of the past several days in no particular order:

-We’re desperate and looking for answers

-We’re supposed to

-We always have

-Our parents go

-Our friends go

-To find a spouse

-To find a girlfriend/boyfriend

-To find answers

-To find out the latest gossip

-To tell the latest gossip

-To sing in front of others

-To teach/preach in front of others

-So our children get good teaching and will turn out ok, because it’s too late for us

-To keep friends/family from breathing down our neck about being in church

-To worship God

-To get things right with God

-To learn about God

-To gain a better understanding of God’s will for my life and draw closer to Him

These are just a few of the reasons I thought of the past several days.  It is by no means an exhaustive list.  If we were to take a poll in churches across America about why they are in church, we would get a massive amount of different answers.  I wonder how many of those answers would be pleasing to God?

I can’t help but remember the song “Heart of Worship”.    I wonder if every Sunday, God’s Angels don’t gather around the throne excited about seeing God’s people come to God’s House and worship, glorify and honor Him along with them.  Only to be disappointed when they see how many of us sit in church and go through routine after routine of worshipping, singing, praying, taking notes, etc.

I don’t want to be the Christian that comes to church out of routine.  I don’t want to be the Christian that worships out of routine.  I don’t want to be the Christian who sings out of routine.  I want to be the Christian who meets with God every single time he walks into the House of God.  I want to have a heart that hungers for a close relationship with Him.  I want to be in church to Know Him more.

The next time you are in church, ask yourself:  “Why Am I Here?”  And be honest with your answer …