Have you ever noticed that most people who live close to their Churches often arrive late for services? Many of them don’t meet the opening prayers. This is because most Christians pay lip service to the things of God. Coming late to Church on Sundays is truly disrespectful of God. So sad!
Attending Church service on time or coming to church early embodies several virtues that align with spiritual, moral, and communal principles. Here are some important virtues:
1. Respect
Arriving on time or early for Church shows respect for the sanctity of the service, the clergy, and fellow congregants. It honours the importance of the communal worship experience.
2. Discipline
Making an effort to be punctual reflects self-discipline, a virtue that is valuable in all aspects of life. It demonstrates a commitment to managing one’s time wisely and prioritising spiritual activities.
3. Responsibility
Being punctual for services signifies a sense of responsibility to oneself and the community. It acknowledges the role of each individual in contributing to the orderly conduct of worship.
4. Mindfulness
Arriving early can provide a quiet moment for prayer, reflection, or meditation before the service begins. This mindfulness prepares the heart and mind for worship, enhancing personal spiritual experience.
5. Community
Coming to Church on time or early fosters a sense of community and belonging. It offers opportunities to engage with fellow congregants, participate in pre-service activities, workers’ prayer meetings, or simply share a moment of greeting and fellowship.
6. Opportunity for Service
Being early to Church can also provide opportunities to serve others, whether through helping to set up, welcoming others as they arrive, or being available for any needs that may arise.
7. Reverence
Punctuality for Church services is an expression of reverence for God. It shows that one values the opportunity to worship and is eager to honour God with their time.
8. Peace and Preparation
Arriving before the service starts can help individuals transition from the busyness of life into a peaceful state of mind, better preparing them for worship and receiving the message.
9. Angels are waiting
My mother, Ruth Aduke Adewara, a Baptist, trained us since childhood that God has angels stationed at the gates of Churches to distribute answers to early comers. When I was a child, in primary school, I was always the first in First Baptist Church, Kaduna.
I was so confident that I got the gift even when I had nothing to show for it as a child. But there was also joy in my heart as a member of the choir. Over to you pastors to clarify if angels stand by the gates of Churches to reward punctual comers.
Conclusion
The virtues of attending Church service on time or coming early are deeply interwoven with the principles of faith, community, and personal growth.
These practices not only enrich one’s own spiritual journey but also strengthen the fabric of the worship community, making the shared experience of worship more meaningful and harmonious.
