A Conversation Every Christian Needs to Have
There are a lot of important pieces of information and wisdom that help us throughout life. Each of us can look back on our lives and remember conversations that gave us just one bit of wisdom, but that was enough to aid us through a tough time or help us with something that would come later in life.
Today, I want to suggest a conversation that every Christian should have. It won’t take but a few minutes, but it might just change your perspective. And it can be with any number of people.
Here is who you go talk to: an older Christian who now struggles to get out of his or her home. Maybe they can on occasion, but only with great difficulty, or maybe they are truly “homebound.”
Often, you do not even need to call ahead. Just show up. They will be so happy to see a Christian coming by to brighten their day. And you don’t have to stay long. I have found that these visits sometimes wear out those who are receiving them, so just a few minutes is usually appreciated.
But somewhere in those brief minutes, there’s one question you need to ask. It’s really good, by the way, if your kids or grandkids are with you to hear the answer to this, but I know plenty of parents and grandparents who need to hear it just as much.
Here’s what you ask: “Do you miss coming to services?”
Now, they might talk about how they watch a livestream, or they might talk about how it would be difficult. But you are going to get a “yes,” and often with tears. The answer will sometimes spill over for several minutes, reminiscing about seeing people and memories that were made and about how much it meant to them to hear sermons and sing songs.
Listen to them closely, and then look at reasons you give for not going to worship. Consider how you don’t worship on vacation or a “getaway” trip. Think about how you will miss worship just because it’s a pretty day and you’d rather be outside. Let your children hear this while they remember you not coming because you had family visiting for the weekend.
That older Christian wishes with everything they have that they could come into that church building one more time and some of us will use any excuse to not attend.
We’ve got a lot to learn from those older, shut-in Christians. Make the time to ask them that question. Listen very closely to their heart as they answer. It may not just change your Sunday habits. It may change your eternal destiny.
AUTHOR: Adam Faughn
