The Time is Now

            It is so easy to fall into bad habits.  Holiday celebrations lead to winter feasting that necessitates spring or summer diets, or procrastination of the same.  We know what we should do.  We even want to do the right thing.  But something always seems to hold us back. 

Congregations generally have several classifications of members.  There are those who attend services regularly.  There are those who make regular financial offerings.  There are those who actively participate in various committees, functions and activities of the congregation.  Often, but not always, these may be the same members.

            There are also congregational members who attend rarely, infrequently or never; but still remain on the rolls.  There are members who give the same dollar a week that they gave as a youth, although their income and blessings from God have considerably increased.  There are members that don’t even imagine participating in the life of the congregation, although they make punch the Sunday worship time clock.

            Some of these distant members have no thought of changing their present condition…how sad.  A fair number of these drifting members have good intentions of getting back to the fold, someday…just not right now.  This is also sad.  Actually, some of these members really don’t know how to come back.  They feel that people will stare at them for their sudden reappearance, or choose to judge them for their previous inactivity.  And they are probably correct.  So what?  One thing is for sure.  God sees and knows about all these vagrant sheep.  He is patiently waiting for a return to His fold. 

            It is much easier said than accomplished, but it is possible and imperative to reenter life with Christ.  After all, when it comes to eternity what are your options.  There may be some who will judge or stare, but there will be many more who will love and support that return. 

            Others may not know when to make a positive change.  This change may be returning to regular worship or activity in the life of the congregation.  Or, this change may be an increase in sacrificial financial giving.  Some wait for the first of the month, the first of the year, or the beginning of the next season.  Some seem to be waiting for the planets to be in alignment.  Well, the only time to effectively begin new and positive habits is NOW!  Why wait?  Beat the rush and make that positive change now.  Pray for help from God.  Call on friends and family, pastor and church members to provide support.  Throw away the excuses and stop fooling yourself. 

            Come back to worship…NOW!  Increase your congregational activity…NOW!  Respond to God’s gifts and blessings and increase your financial contributions…NOW!  Tomorrow might just be too late.

John Piper