Not wanting to go to church

We all have those Sundays when we would prefer to stay home and have a cup of good coffee and read the Sunday edition of the Chicago Tribune. For me they are rare (I guess that's a wonderful thing for a pastor to say), but every so often, I'd just as soon stay home.

Yet at the same time, it generally is that one Sunday where I wanted to stay home, but came anyway (of course for me that is not a choice)and God moved not only in our service in a powerful way, but in my own heart.

I can't tell you how many times over the years that has happened.

A few times recently someone has come up to me and said, "I didn't really want to come today - but the worship and the teaching really spoke directly to my heart."

I'm not quite sure why it happens that way, but maybe it's the Holy Spirit saying to us, "just when you least expect it - I am going to move in your life."

I found this story today that describes one child's efforts in not going to church. It's a little extreme, but shows what lengths some will go to avoid coming.

"Despite the best efforts of pastors and Christian educators, many children in America still don't enjoy going to church. These kids usually reveal their discomfort through one of a few predictable habits. Some fidget in their seats; others doodle or draw; still others try to sneak in a comic book or portable video game.

But a 7-year-old boy in Plain City, Utah, recently broke the mold and attempted to avoid the ecclesiastical experience altogether. To that end, he hopped in his parents car early on Sunday morning, pulled out of the driveway, and took off down the road.

Not long after, local police began receiving complaints about an erratic driver in a white Dodge Intrepid. When deputies located the vehicle and turned on their flashers, the boy refused to pull over, instead leading police on a low-speed chase through the streets of Plain City.

Sheriff's lieutenant Matthew Bell believes there is a practical reason the boy never exceeded 40 miles per hour: "His speed was slow, but erratic," Bell said. "He would kind of scoot down lower to push on the gas, and kinda sit up on the seat more to see where he was going."

The chase finally ended when the boy pulled back into the driveway of his suburban home, hopped out of the car, and fled into the garage. Later confronted by police, he finally explained the motivation behind his unexpected joyride: it was just too hot to go to church."

I guess the lesson is (for those of you who have children) - don't leave your car keys out in the open.

But even more importantly - at that moment when you don't want to come - that's the very Sunday morning to come - and experience what God has for you in your life.