Sunday morning often brings a sense of excitement. Today was no different.
As I got ready for church this morning, I sensed it—the excitement. I went on a little weekend trip with my daughter last weekend, so it had been a couple of weeks since I had been to Sunday service.
I look forward to community […group sharing common characteristics or interests…*] in a community that I love. [a social group of any size whose members reside in a specific locality, share government, and often have a common cultural and historical heritage.*]
That common interest is Jesus.
I look forward to fellowship. [communion, as between members of the same church. / friendliness / an association of persons having similar tastes, interests, etc.*]
Our similar interests revolve around Jesus.
I look forward to being sharpened for the walk ahead.
“Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.”
Proverbs 27:17 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/pro.27.17.ESV
Our gathering to be sharpened, to learn and grow, in order to be able to stand firm is for the cause of Jesus.
I look forward to gathering for corporate worship in song and hands being raised, and sometimes shouts of praise.
“Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!”
Psalm 100:4 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/psa.100.4.ESV
We gather to worship Jesus.
I look forward to Sunday dinner, which has commonly been the biggest lunch of the week…perhaps because it is a bit of a celebration. It is a meal often shared with family and/or friends…whether in a restaurant or at home around the table. It is often a mini-feast…perhaps to simply celebrate Sunday. We have labored six days in many cases, and now we feast.
We thank God for the bounty we receive in the name of Jesus.
As much as I look forward to Sunday service (sometimes even before Sunday) and dinner after, I also look forward to the hope of home. I look forward to the break from our labors. [I don’t even make my bed on Sundays!] I look forward to rest. A Sunday nap is a normal occurrence here at the Hornsby House. As I recall from a past Sunday School lesson with our dear friend, Jim, a Sabbath rest basically recalibrates our bodies for the upcoming work week…or after a week’s work. It restores and refreshes. It is how we were designed. I truly believe that rest is a form of trusting God with our schedules and our time. Home is the place we find our best rest.
We rest to honor Jesus…to honor God’s plan.
As these thoughts came to mind this morning, I immediately compared this Sunday scenario to the hope of our eternal home. With excitement, we can run the race; and with excitement we can prepare for a grand homecoming with those we love…those who share our common interest…Jesus.
As we saw our brother in Christ martyred, ultimately for his faith in Jesus this week, we are reminded that there is a choice to make. We are reminded that it is a privilege to share the gospel. We are reminded that home is our place of rest.
There is hope of home with Jesus to celebrate.
I have decided. Have you?
“Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience. For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account. Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
Hebrews 4:11-16 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/heb.4.11-16.ESV
*Dictionary.com app
Simply Celebrate With Jackie 