The Covid-19 crisis put many of us in difficult situations when it comes to Sunday worship. Those of us who are in a lock-down have no choice but only to watch either a pre-recorded clip or a livestream of the Sunday services.
I have been quite fortunate enough to actually physically attend my local church and attend the service even though we did have a few restrictive measures in place. I definitely prefer to be in person during the service, because I just know that if I attend the service online, that I will side track and not fully pay attention to the service as I ought to.
Wasting my privileges
In spite of my privileged position of being able to attend the services in person, I have to confess that I have been wasting my Sunday services. I am truly ashamed and embarrassed about it but I have recently developed a strange habit of “spacing out during the sermons”.
I would be listening to the sermon, even actively nodding and everything, but inside my head I would be day dreaming and just drift away along with the flow of random thoughts that pop into my head.
One day, I came to a realization that I have been doing this for nearly two months now, and that I have rarely got anything out of the sermons that were being preached to me. I am sure some of you may relate to this, especially if you are at home lying on your bed as you watch your online Sunday services.
So, what did you do Richard?
A few things.
First, I got caffeinated. If you are a coffee addict like myself, you simply know that you won’t be able to push through those prolonged sermons without a kick to your system.
Second, I sat amongst the front pews. I forced myself in a position where I was directly exposed to my pastor’s field of vision.
Third, I started taking detailed notes of the sermon. I emphasize the word “detailed”. I made sure that I wasn’t nonchalantly taking the notes, I pressed myself to get as much detail as possible, even the ones that seemingly matter too much. It was just a way for me to stay a bit more awake and focused on the sermon.
Lastly, I attempted sharing with others what I have learnt from the sermon that day. I mean how can I possibly share what I have learnt if I don’t actively listen to the sermons right? This also helped me revisit the sermon again and force myself to think about how I might potentially apply my newly learned truths in my life.
What matters is that you fight back.
Don’t stay complacent, fight back your fleshly urges to be passive. Think of all the fountains of grace and nourishments that you missed out because of your foolishness.
I figured that it is not only little children that need to grow and train in order to discipline themselves to sit through a service, but also grown adults like ourselves.
If you have slackened over the weeks like I have, discipline yourselves again and do not let any of your precious Sundays go to waste.
Richard Kwon is from Auckland, a regular lay person who just loves the Lord.