It Is Hard to Start Back

Dennis Tucker

For three years I was a member of the Kiwanis Club. It is a good organization devoted to community projects. Once a week, we would meet and have lunch. At this time, a guest would speak to us on a particular topic. We had policemen come and speak about law enforcement. Oil drillers would explain to us the art of drilling for oil. It was usually interesting. Fellow club members were nice, and I generally enjoyed their company. In fact, I did more than just attend. I was an active member–elected to club secretary. Last year I was chairman of the fireworks committee and head of the art contest for the chili supper. You get the idea.

Then something happened. I had to travel and miss some meetings. At first, I missed the company of fellow members and the speakers. After six months of missing, I decided to try to attend the next meeting. The only problem was that something seemed to keep coming up. I must admit not all of the problems have been major—just big enough to keep me from going.

For years I have seen faithful Christians drift away from God. Most of the time it starts with occasionally missing worship services. Then they miss more and more assemblies and just quit. Often they do not know what happened and intend on starting back.

Let me relate my experience with the Kiwanis Club to this problem.

First, to those who faithfully attend services, I urge you to remain that way. Do not give in to the temptation to go to a ball game or just stay at home and rest. Once that pattern starts, it is hard to stop. Do not risk your soul by intentionally missing a service. “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the day approaching” (Hebrews 10:25).

Second, it is hard to start back once you have quit. I did not say impossible, but hard. People get used to sleeping late Sunday morning or doing some extra work on Sunday or Wednesday night. You will have to make the effort to change your pattern. Returning back to services will not just happen. Repentance is one word that comes to mind. Not just sorry for missing services and not being as faithful as you should be, but a change in action is necessary. Make a point of setting that alarm clock for Sunday morning. Look at your watch Sunday evening and quit your yard work in time to get ready for services. Leave those dirty clothes alone Wednesday evening and study that Bible lesson. Be dedicated to God.

Finally, the longer a person stays away, the less they will miss the services. They will get used to not singing songs of praise to God, observing the Lord’s Supper, listening to the gospel being preached, praying to God and just being in fellowship with their brothers and sisters in Christ.

This lesson should not be lost on the faithful. If a brother or sister is absent, we should make sure everything is all right. If they are having trouble, help them. Encourage, and if need be, rebuke them. Do not delay. IT IS HARD TO START ONCE YOU HAVE STOPPED!

— Via The Old Path II, October 4, 1998