Greetings -
I am deeply grateful for those in church leadership who respect the Lord overall but this post is about promptness. Some weeks ago on a televised Christian service, I heard a pastor stress that he begins on time. In essence, he said that he did NOT care who was not there - he starts on time. Again, in essence, he stated that if service time is 11:00, then he starts at 11:00. I was quite pleased to hear that he is firm about timeliness in honor to GOD. I so appreciate people who respect that GOD is a GOD of order, and timeliness is order. Of course, there can be, on rare occasions, extenuating circumstances but typically, church programs/services should start on time. To do otherwise, is an insult and an affront to GOD. He is holy and to be regularly late is disrespectful to His holiness.
I have attended more than a few church programs/services where timeliness is not exercised. This past Sunday, I visited a church for Sunday school for the first time. On their website, it stated that Sunday school begins at 8:30. I got there at about 8:15. The outside church sign stated that Sunday school service begins at 9:30. I went inside and inquired, and was informed that Sunday school starts at 8:30. I politely mentioned that 9:30 was on the outside church sign.
Well, I settled in and engaged in a bit of small talk pending start of Sunday school. Hmmm - 8:30 came and went...8:40 came and went...I inquired and was informed that Sunday school starts when the teacher gets there - also I was informed that he is always late. It was about 8:45 before the teacher began to teach. His topic was on the whole armor of GOD. Correct me if I am wrong, but I sat there thinking, "How can you have on the whole armor of GOD if Sunday school starts late?" I found it challenging to engage because if someone does not have enough respect for GOD to begin on time,... Further I found myself wondering about the teacher, "Is he on time for work?" If we can be on time for work and be late for GOD for services..., what does that demonstrate - that being on time for man is more important than being on time for GOD? How would we feel if GOD had a practice of being late? Of course, He is never late but what if He were regularly late - wouldn't we feel disrespected and insulted?
Also, when services/programs do not begin on time, it is also disrespect demonstrated toward those who are in attendance.
My entire work history, I regularly arrived to duty at least a half hour before required. It is part of a strong work ethic to be prompt. Relative to church and other places, there have been times that the Lord has led me to arrive after the start times - but overall, promptness is order.
Please express your views on this.
Thank you for your indulgence.
LATE FOR GOD...
ReplyDeleteOK you and I are wired the same - to the point where when I panic because I am going to be late I can now remind myself that I am always 15 minutes early and "being late" will probably end up being there right on time (and it is true).
ReplyDeleteHaving said that - I have been with short term missions groups in Latin America where culturally, it is almost considered uncouth to show up "on time".
I notice that our services are beginning at maybe seven after instead of 10 straight up. The pastors have encouraged the congregation to show up on time to honor God - to come early and pray in the sanctuary for the service and worship team and preachers... but we (as a congregation) seem to keep sliding the "beginning" time.
Do I like it? Nope. I was the one who did not procrastinate and actually would go out during final week (not the rest of the year) because I reviewed my notes, maybe had a coke with someone and came to the dorm to go to sleep before the test.
Have found that I am sort of a rare bird as most of the rest of the world procrastinates.
I think it is polite to do what is stated so people can plan accordingly. There are jokes about being late for your own funeral but seriously, it almost seems to come down to being honorable to your word or not.
My supervisor at a recent job was always late and then the Lord laid it on her heart that she was dishonoring all her fellow employees. In essence indicating that her time and projects were so important that she could make the rest of us wait for her. I don't think she was ever late for a meeting again once she had that revelation from her Lord!
i think it is a sign of someone's character of whether or not they at least try to make it everywhere on time. i have been guilty of constantly being late and each time i was it was because i was not managing the time God has given me, or because I was outright being lazy, nor did i care at the time.
ReplyDeletepraise God, He is always on time!
Greetings -
ReplyDeleteThis was sent to me, via e-mail, from Karen:
details 1:46 PM (1 hour ago)
Being on time has always been a struggle for me - I don't know if it is genetic, or if it is a character trait that was taught by parents who did not strive for punctuality, or if I really have no excuse. But I do try very hard to be on time. I do not feel honoured if people wait for me. I feel guilty if people have to wait for me. If I am late, I enter quietly and try not to disturb. There are cultures where time scarcely exists, and people are laid back and we admire them for it, but I do not live in such a culture. In my culture, people are busy and life is scheduled. I respect that, and I fight against my natural inclination to be late.