How Much Longer?

I remember my sister and I riding in the back seat of our car on the way down to Ramona, California, to see my grandparents. Back when I was a little boy it seemed like that was the longest drive in the history of the universe! What anticipation! How we wanted to see them! I wanted to see my aunt and my uncles, too. They weren't much older than my sister and I, and we used to have the best times together. And so, about every ten minutes a call came from the back seat (usually from me) - "How much longer 'til we get there?" The usual response from my parents was, "We're about ten minutes closer than the last time you asked." I imagine that this car conversation sounds familiar to many of you. Isn't great to look back on times when the family was getting together and remember how excited you were about it?

Today, a very similar set of circumstances occurs on a weekly basis when God's family meets together to worship Him. Every Christian, being a child of God (1 John 3:2) should eagerly anticipate the events that coincide with each first day of the week. Coming together is about seeing the family and worshipping the God who has made us to become heirs of the kingdom (Gal. 3:29). Sunday is simply the best day of the week: The day to remember the sacrifice of the Savior. The day that the tomb was found empty. The day that the church in the first century met despite their lives being threatened because salvation was so good and the message was so good that they didn't want to be anywhere else! The idea of Sunday coming should get us so excited that when the weekend roles around we get ready for worship by saying, "How much longer? How much longer do we have to wait until we can assemble again with the saints?"

Unfortunately, today many of us are having a hard time developing enough love for Christ so as to look forward to worship. Although it shouldn't be this way, many see worship as a burden rather than an opportunity. Because we haven't learned to love God enough to see the value of sacrifice, we don't anticipate getting to worship. Instead we anticipate leaving. The only cry the preacher hears from the congregation as they shake their heads and watches is, "How much longer? How much longer 'til we can get out of here?"

People who have not learned to love God and let this love be the motivation for their service and worship to Him are those who always seemed to be concerned about minimums in worship. "How much do I have to give?" "Do I have to sing?" "These classes take to long - I'll just be there for services." "We need to get a preacher here who isn't so long-winded!" Why do we continue to make these types of statements? Have we forgotten what the Lord was willing to do for us (Phil. 2:5-8)? He went the second mile for us (Matt. 5:41,42). If we are to be Christ-like, should we expect to do the same?

I have learned even in twenty-seven years that life is very short. As we get older, "How much longer" becomes a question that we all ask ourselves. This is because we know the time is coming for us to leave this place and depart to another one in which we will await judgment. When that time comes, our reason for asking the question - "How much longer?" - will make all the difference.

What kind of attitude do you have about worship to God? Is it "How much longer 'til we get there?" - or is it - "How much longer 'til we leave?" The wrong answer will eventually deliver you to hell. Think about it. If you don't love worshipping God, why would you ever think that heaven is your destiny? Heaven is going to be the longest worship service of all. And on an even more serious note: in hell, the answer to "How much longer?" is one you'll never want to hear.