Where Are You on Sabbath?

I had a brother who said that he didn’t need to go to church to have a relationship with Christ and that he could go to the woods and commune with Him. I also have a friend who steers clear of “organized religion.” So why should we go to church? First, I always attended church on the seventh day because I didn’t know anything different. Now, as a parent who raised my children to do the same, I understand the importance of worshiping in church with others each Sabbath.

I do so because God requested it in the fourth commandment, and I want to please Him. Furthermore, I need to be with like-minded people.

Christian fellowship helps me be more accountable both to God and others. The Sabbath rest and fellowship became even more precious to me when I had to return to work as a nurse because my husband, who had Parkinson’s disease, wasn’t able to work anymore. I worked two jobs to keep my three sons in private school.

I had to work every other Sabbath as a behavioral medicine nurse.

When I did have Sabbath off, it was such a blessing to go to church, relax, and attend the afternoon activities provided. A year ago I was able to retire and become more active in the church. After my husband died, I realized the blessings of a smaller church as the members gave us so much support during this difficult time.

The communion and support we enjoy in church are a foretaste of what we will experience in heaven. I believe the more one is involved at church, the more one is blessed. Jesus understood the importance of keeping open communication with His Father. If He spent hours talking with God, how much more should we as fallen beings spend time with Him? Church fellowship encourages us to deepen our fellowship with Jesus. Jesus taught His disciples to commune with His Father by teaching them how to pray. Today we call it the Lord’s Prayer. His Holy Word is the main way God communicates with us, along with the Holy Spirit, whom Jesus said He would ask His Father to send us (John 14:16, 17). Jesus is almost ready to take His bride, the church, to heaven, where we will spend eternity with Him. Imagine worshiping on the Sabbath in heaven with our Creator! I want to be there, don’t you?

Gyl Moon Bateman