Why I Can't Understand Why You Would Choose To Miss


Rick Woodall

 

Do you remember when you became a Christian? Do you recall the moment when you could not put it off any longer? I was raised in a Christian home. The church was the center of our lives, both spiritually and socially. We lived 22 miles from the nearest congregation. That does not seem like too many miles when you think of it out here in the flat land of Indiana. Back then things were a little different. We lived 3,280 feet above sea level. The drive to church was down an eight-mile mountain and across a one-lane quarter mile bridge and up a three-mile ridge. The bridge crossed the Cheat River, which is named appropriately. The Cheat is the most rapid river on the east coast and has its claim to fame for its treacherous white water. Right before the bridge we were greeted by a curve with a 150-foot drop off. There were warning signs all over the sides of the road coming down this mountain. There was a stopping point for all trucks half way down the incline to allow trucks to cool their brakes. Just in case a trucker would lose his brakes, a run-off road was provided by the State, complete with a deep gravel pit that included tanks of water to crash into if needed. Now top this off with the Preston County winter storms. I have ridden to church as a child with snow higher than the car on each side of the road.


With all this in mind, I cannot recall too many Sunday mornings, Sunday nights, or Wednesday nights that we ever missed services. Another thing is, we were always early. We hardly ever came to services late - but there was one time. Dad forgot to move the clocks forward one spring. I remember how defeated Dad seemed as we discovered that he had forgotten.


You see my friends, faithfulness is not something that just happens. Dedication to the Gospel is not something that just transpires. As a small child I learned how serious it is to be true to our living God. I have kept in high regard the sacredness of true devotion. I don’t attend, as some people joke, because I’m paid to.


My gift reminds me that our actions must be coupled with a serving heart. I am not ashamed to tell you that being enthusiastic for the things that matter the most is less complicated when one grows up with worthy role models.


Do you long for your children to remain faithful to the Lord and His Church? Set a goal to be on time for Bible study this week. That’s a good place to start.


“And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” Joshua 24:15. –406 Yorktown Rd., Logansport, IN 46947. (574) 753-2757. http://mysite.verizon.net/yorktownroadchurchofchrist


(Editor’s note: Brother Woodall, the son of John and Mary Woodall, grew up in Kingwood, WV and attended the Howesville church of Christ. He and his wife, Joyce, have two children. He has preached in Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Indiana. He is presently preaching with the Yorktown Road church of Christ in Logansport, Indiana. His weekly radio program, Reflections, is broadcast on two stations each Sunday. He writes a weekly devotional message, entitled Life Thoughts, available via his email: ririckeylee@comcast.net)


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