A Church You’re Glad to Be In

"I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord!’" - Psalm 122:1
 
Church should not feel like an obligation. It should not be something you endure, tolerate, or force yourself to do. It should not feel like a chore, a tax filing, or a doctor's appointment you would rather avoid. Church should be a place of joy, a place of life, a place where you can exhale from the struggles of the week and be built back up.
 
But sadly, that is not the experience for many. Some people walk into church and feel judged instead of welcomed. Others feel like the church does not care about the world outside its walls. Some feel like it is lifeless, irrelevant, or disconnected from their reality. And for them, Sunday morning becomes a dreaded routine rather than an anticipated experience.
 
That is not what God intended. When David wrote, "I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord!’” he was not forcing himself into worship, he was excited about it. He saw the house of God as a place of renewal, a place where burdens are lifted and faith is strengthened. He was not mad about it. He was not sad about it. He was glad about it.
 
Church should be a place where you find hope after a hard week, strength when you feel weak, and encouragement when life has beaten you down. It should be a place of love, connection, and purpose. No one should walk into a church and leave feeling worse than when they came.
 
I want to challenge you to be part of making the church what God designed it to be. Be the one who welcomes instead of judges. Be the one who encourages instead of criticizes. Be the one who makes church a place people look forward to, rather than a place they dread.
You should not regret going to church. You should leave refreshed, strengthened, and glad that you came. Because the house of God is meant to be a place of joy, not a burden, but a blessing.