Guard Your Steps

This week we are in Ecclesiastes 5:1–7.

Years ago, I served on a jury. I cannot say when or where or get into any specifics. While it was not any kind of super famous case, it certainly felt like a big deal to me and dragged out for quite a while. At the beginning of each day I served, I entered a courthouse that was imposing in both size and seriousness. The building itself felt oppressive and security was tight. Every time I walked through those doors, I felt the weight of what was happening inside. Maybe you have had a very similar experience; but if not, I bet you can think of something similar like a big meeting at work or a formal presentation in school.

Contrast that with how easy it is to become casual about attending church. Familiarity and comfort can lead to distraction. We know the songs, the order of service, and many of the people. If we’re not careful we can settle into our seats and forget that we’re intentionally entering the presence of God.

Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Better to draw near in obedience than to offer the sacrifice as fools do, for they ignorantly do wrong. Do not be hasty to speak, and do not be impulsive to make a speech before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few. (Ecclesiastes 5:1 HCSB)

Our church has a very nice welcome area and for sure I have personally sampled my share of donuts and coffee over the years. It’s a great area to connect with friends before or between our Sunday services. It makes me happy to see close friends spot each other and their faces involuntarily light up. I’m proud to be part of a friendly and welcoming church.

But if I’m being honest with you, when entering our sanctuary my heart may feel more like I’m settling into a comfy chair in a friend’s living room than like I’m preparing to encounter Jesus my Savior. I’m glad that worship is a regular and comfortable habit for me, but I need to avoid letting it feel routine.

I would never want worship to remind me of the oppressive feel of that courthouse, but I need to get better at guarding my steps at church, not out of fear nor formality, but out of reverence for the One I am there to worship.

By Mark Stuart

Mark is the husband of Laura, father of Shelby and Jacob (Bailey), and grandfather of Charley.