"Do You Want to Be There?"
By Kevin Patterson
Cal Ripkin, shortstop for the Baltimore Orioles, was honored not too long ago as the first man in baseball history to play in 2,131 consecutive games. When asked why he was always there and never missed a game, he said it was because he wanted to be there. It was not that he never got mad at the coach, umpire, fans, or other players. It was not because he always felt perfect or never had any personal problems. It was not because the weather was never too hot, cold, rainy, or windy. He was always there simply because he wanted to be there.
There was a lady in Augusta, Georgia, who had not missed Bible class or worship for 44 years. That's 2,288 Sundays! Why do you think she was always there? Do you think she never had company that came in at the last minute? Do you think she never had a headache or a cold or indigestion or nervous spells? Do you think she never wanted to sleep late on Sunday morning or never had her feelings hurt by the preacher, elders, or another member? Of course she did! But, she did not believe those were reasons important enough to "forsake the assembly" (Hebrews 10:25). She came simply because she wanted to be there.
In the late 1950's, there was a very popular prime-time television show called "The Miss Patti Page Show." It came on every Wednesday night. There was one couple during that time who never saw the show because they were always at a Bible study. They were Patti's parents. Although they loved Patti very much, they felt it more important to keep the kingdom of God first (Matthew 6:33). Why were they always at a Bible study instead of at home watching their daughter's show? It was simply because they wanted to be there!
Whether we realize it or not, 99% of all the things we do in life are because we want to do them. We can generally always find the time to do the things that are most important to us. Worshiping God and attending the services of the Lord are no different. If these things are important enough to us, then we will surely be able to find the time to do them.
Joshua gave both a command and his own position concerning the selection of our priorities. He said in Joshua 24:15, "...choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve...but as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord." Who will you choose to serve this day, and how will you do it? One way is to faithfully attend the services of the Lord. It is simply a matter of whether you want to be there.
Article is from Kevin's Komments November 12, 1997
Permission granted to use this article in any manner, as long as: 1) the content is not changed and 2) the name of the author is left on the article.
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