October 15
Half-Hearted
Faith
"Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing. Instead, let us cheer each other up with words of hope. Let us do it all the more as we see the day coming when Christ will return."
Hebrews 10:25 (NIrV)
Simon had good intentions. He really did. He believed in God, and he enjoyed going to church—when he could. But there was always something.
Last Sunday, the guys invited him for an early morning round of golf, and he had told himself, I’ll go to church next week. The week before that, he had been out late on Saturday night, and when his alarm went off on Sunday morning, the pounding in his head convinced him to stay in bed. Then there were the times he looked out the window at the pouring rain and thought, Maybe I’ll just watch an online sermon instead. But he never did.
Weeks turned into months, and his attendance at church became more of an afterthought than a priority. He told himself it didn’t matter. God knows my heart. Church is important, sure, but so is rest. So is spending time with my friends. So is catching up on sleep.
One Saturday evening, his phone buzzed. A text from David, one of the older men from church. Haven’t seen you in a while, brother. Everything okay?
Simon stared at the message for a long moment before typing, Yeah, all good! Just been busy. I’ll be there soon!
But as he lay in bed that night, he couldn’t shake the nagging feeling in his chest. Busy? With what? Excuses? He knew deep down that church wasn’t just about him—it was about worshiping God, about fellowship, about being strengthened in faith. He had been isolating himself, and his faith was suffering for it.
The next morning, his alarm rang. His first instinct was to hit snooze. His golf buddies were probably already on the course, and his bed felt impossibly comfortable. But then he remembered David’s message. More than that, he remembered the way he used to feel after church—encouraged, renewed, at peace.
He sat up. No more excuses.
That Sunday, as he walked into the church building, something inside him shifted. It felt like coming home. And when David spotted him and gave him a firm handshake and a smile, Simon knew: he had been missing more than just a Sunday service. He had been missing the strength that came from being with God’s people.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
Forgive me for the times I have let excuses come between me and You.
I know I need the strength and encouragement that comes from gathering with my brothers and sisters in Christ.
Help me to prioritize my faith, to seek You with commitment, and to make time for worship, no matter what distractions come my way.
Thank You for always calling me back, even when I wander.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
