A good friend of mine recently returned from a mission trip to a third world country in Africa. Thankfully, he was able to offer hope, help, and encouragement and some real solutions to improve their quality of life, their health, and their economic situation. Because the work is ongoing, the results will be maximized over many years.
While there, he worshipped with the local church on Sunday and was privileged to give the morning sermon. Shortly after he began speaking, he noticed three middle school aged girls quietly enter the room and sit in the back. They were all wearing the traditional Muslim burkas and did so throughout the service. When it was over, they left before he could speak with them.
A day or so later the missionary asked the local pastor about these girls. “Oh yes,” he said casually, “they will be beaten for doing attending.” When my friend showed obvious shock, the pastor went on to explain the situation.
“These girls come from Muslim families and attend an Islamic school even on Sundays. Each week, they leave their school to come to worship with us and are beaten by their parents for missing school. I have encouraged them not to disobey their parents or to take actions that result in their own suffering but they tell me, “We’d rather be beaten than miss worship.””
As my friend shared this story, I couldn’t keep tears from welling up in my eyes. Such devotion to Jesus and to His church from mere children puts mine to shame. How many of us would rather be beaten than church this Sunday? Their church building is very plain with no stained glass, no carpet, and no air conditioning. There is no pipe organ or professional music. There was no fellowship meal or flashy children’s programs. Just people who love Jesus more than self.
I’ve had a really tough time getting this story out of my mind and I hope I never do. Knowing there are three young girls committed to worshipping the Savior with God’s Church every Sunday deepens my own sense of commitment to Jesus.
How often we’ve skipped Sunday worship for scads of reasons so pathetic and weak compared to this. “My throat’s a little scratchy. It’s too pretty a day not to go fishing, camping, etc. I don’t like the music. The pastor’s messages aren’t engaging enough. I don’t get anything out of it. I really need a little extra sleep.” And one of the most common today, “I’d rather stay home in my slippers and watch online.” God have mercy on our pitiful laziness.
Such weak, spoiled commitment makes me wonder about the true condition of our spirituality. Do we really love Jesus or just claim that we do? People sometimes remark that we don’t have to go to church to be a Christian. However, the Bible tells us that Jesus loved the church so much that He gave His own life for her, not just the individuals within. Shouldn’t we love her at least enough to be a part of our own body whenever we can? Especially when there are no negative consequences for doing so?
In addition, the Bible tells us that it was Jesus’ custom to worship with other believers on a weekly basis. By definition, to be a Christian means that we sincerely desire to copy Jesus’ example. If we physically cannot, that’s one thing. But if we are able and don’t, that’s another.
Thankfully, in this country, we have the freedom to worship whenever and wherever we choose. Thankfully, few, if any of us will ever be beaten for attending a worship service. Because of the First Amendment, we are guaranteed the freedom of religion that includes the freedom to worship or not. Let’s exercise this freedom and protect it.
May the self-sacrificing devotion of these three young ladies not only motivate our own children and teenagers to worship each week with other believers, but may it convict all of us and move us to examine our relationships with Jesus and with His Church.
See you in worship, George