The pious among us will say they had to be in worship this week. The events of recent days have been so overwhelming as to drive them to their knees in prayer. The less pious among us will wonder how they could muster the courage for worship this week. The events of recent days have been so overwhelming as to drive them to despair.
How can we pray in a time when the world outside our doorstep appears more chaotic and unhinged every day? How can we pray when the evils of racism are on the rise — and Christian people turn a blind eye? How can we pray when peaceful protesters and looters get mixed in together and treated the same? How can we pray when it appears the teachings of the Bible have been either forgotten or whitewashed into nothing?
How can we gather for worship this week — especially since we can’t really “gather” for worship anyway?
Some of us want to pray harder, and some of us want to run away. Some of us want to steal away to Jesus, and some of us are too paralyzed to steal away anywhere. How can we gather for worship?
If there’s any lighthearted good news to this weekend, it’s this: At least we don’t have to get dressed up and drive to church. You are invited to come as you are where you are.
That “come as you are” part? That’s really good news. If you come on your knees in prayer, come on. If you come full of doubt or anger, come on. If you come frazzled beyond description, come on. If you come with coffee in one hand and a half-eaten waffle in the other, come on.
“Come unto me, all you who are weary and heavy laden,” says Jesus. “And I will give you rest.”
I imagine we all need some spiritual rest today. Come to Jesus. Come to worship. Come as you are. Come together — even though we’re apart.