The Checklist

Our drive to church every Sunday included as many rituals as the service. Mom would turn around and say, “Let me see you.” Then, a flowered handkerchief was first touched to her tongue and then to my face to scrub off whatever remained of breakfast. Then, I was handed an envelope and a pencil and began to check off the boxes.

Sunday School? That’s where we were going so I checked off the box. Offering? Mom handed me a dime and I checked off the box. Lesson studied? I picked up my quarterly, scanned the lesson, and checked off the box. Attending worship? No need to ask, everyone who went to Sunday school also stayed for worship. Bible brought? Always, the Bible was a precious book and we learned early to take care of it and take it to church. When I had all the boxes checked I added up 100%.

I got my first education in responsibility at church. As soon as I was able I was responsible for getting up and getting dressed for church every Sunday morning. We also went Sunday night and Wednesday night. Sunday morning had the checklist, Sunday night there were parts to present in Training Union, and Wednesday was Royal Ambassadors with books to complete for pins and prizes. I never questioned whether or not we did these things. Even when I was too sick to go to school I don’t remember ever being too sick to be allowed to stay home from church.

I read my lesson to check it off the list. I soon began to look forward to reading the lesson, not because of the list, but because of the things I was beginning to learn. I could attend worship for the points but in order to worship I had to participate. Bringing my bible was a responsibility but reading my Bible developed my relationship with God, who wrote it. In time I came to realize that getting 100% was not as important as giving 100%.

What’s on your list? Are there things you are doing just to check off the list and you hope one day God will pat you on the back and say, “Well done?” Paul said, “For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift not from works, so that no one can boast.” (Eph. 2:8-9 hcsb)

Read the Bible everyday and you will discover the joy and comfort of hearing God speak. Come to worship and experience His presence. Participate in small group studies, like Sunday School, and learn from others who are learning just like you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. (James 4:8)

Robin