Compelling

One of the challenges I think about regularly is why even believers no longer feel compelled to participate in regular attendance at worship and discipleship events. Now, I realize it is summer and people are scheduled to be on vacation- I certainly welcome my opportunity to be away for a few days here and there. So, let go of the guilt- I'm not trying to catch those who have been away for a vacation or family reasons.
No, what concerns me is the attitude that has been growing over the past few decades (I've been at this since the late 1970's- so I have a few decades of experience) that tends to make attendance at worship optional. It seems that every time a new believer looks around- or when some who are seriously contemplating the faith- they see the halfhearted attempts made by believers in attending corporate worship and they often see those who are there make a halfhearted attempt at genuine and heartfelt worship.
Jesus said, "Enter through the narrow gate.For the gate is wide and the road is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who go through it. How narrow is the gate and difficult the road that leads to life, and few find it" (Matthew 7:13-14). It is so much easier to go with the flow than to move against it. The disciplines of the Christian life are easily put on hold for other 'important' events and responsibilities. Putting off attendance is an easy first step in getting caught in the current of life. Then it becomes easier next week to find a reason- and the reason's I've heard are all legitimate and important. If regular attendance at the gathering of God's people is any indication of the depth of discipleship then there are two conclusions I'd like to draw:
a). There are indeed few who are pressing into the narrow way. Thank God for those committed, devoted to God believers who attend our worship and discipleship gatherings regularly. They are often the only source of encouragement for a single staff pastor like myself. I often tell my folks I'd rather have a few who are truly devoted to following Jesus daily than hundreds who are just living around the edges of faith. I am learning to celebrate the few and to rejoice with them as they experience growth and as they develop into fully formed followers of Jesus Christ.
b). This narrow gate and difficult road are not impossible. Jonathan Edwards, one of the greatest theological minds in American history, in a message titled, "Pressing into the Kingdom of God" notes, "By pressing into the kingdom of God is denoted a breaking through opposition and difficulties. There is in the expression a plain intimation of difficulty. If there were no opposition, but the way was all clear and open, there would be no need of pressing to get along. They therefore that are pressing into the kingdom of God, go on with such engagedness, that they break through the difficulties that are in their way. They are so set for salvation, that those things by which others are discouraged, and stopped, and turned back, do not stop them, but they press through them. Persons ought to be so resolved for heaven, that if by any means they can obtain, they will obtain. Whether those means be difficult or easy, cross or agreeable, if they are requisite means of salvation, they should be complied with. When any thing is presented to be done, the question should not be, Is it easy or hard? is it agreeable to my carnal inclinations or interest, or against them? But is it a required means of my obtaining an interest in Jesus Christ, and eternal salvation? "

So, thank God for those few who are pressing into the kingdom. May our lives be such compelling and persuasive examples of kingdom living that the world around us must notice-and by our lives may we testigfy to God's unsearchable riches!