4 Then the word of the LORD Almighty came to me: 5 "Ask all the people of the land and the priests, ‘When you fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh months for the past seventy years, was it really for me that you fasted? 6 And when you were eating and drinking, were you not just feasting for yourselves? – Zech 7
Were this written today, it may say something like this:
Then God said, "Ask the people in the church and ask the Pastors, "When you came to church, was it really for me or was it so that you wouldn’t feel guilty for skipping church (again)? When you showed up at church, were you really hoping to meet me or where you hoping the band would play your favorite worship tune? (Side note, did you ever think of asking me what MY favorite worship song is?). Were you more interested in praying for what you want than asking me what was on my heart? When you came to church, were you more upset that someone took your seat than you were at the fact that there were empty seats that needed to be filled with people so they could hear about me? Did you get frustrated that the Children’s ministry volunteers were a little stressed when you have not served anyone besides yourself all week? When it came time for offering where you more concerned about making excuses about why you couldn’t give than returning to me what is mine? Were you more concerned with the length of the sermon than the state of your personal quiet time? Were you more concerned that the sermon was not entertaining than you were that you have not opened your Bible this week? Seriously. Why do you come to church? Is it for me, or is it really for you?"
God help us to continue to be a people that follow Christ and serve in his cause. May we never be a community of people that follow ourselves and serve in our cause.
photo by global X