By Pete Hyde
The sun peaked above the horizon on Sunday morning and cast its brilliant yellow rays through a crease in the clouds offering a grand statement of “This is the day the Lord has made. Rejoice and be glad in it.” It was not a question or a suggestion. It was a statement. We had been on the road about an hour and a half when the Sabbath sunrise statement was made. Interstate 40 cleared its way through the wooded hills of western Arkansas. Lake Dardanelle lay peacefully in the valley with wispy fingers of fog reaching toward the morning light. Just a hint of yellow and red signaled the beginning of the fall colors which would dress the hills in the glorious wonder of God’s creation in a week or two.
We stopped at the IHOP in Russellville, Ark. just ahead of the breakfast-before-church crowd. Crossing guards at the church up the street were ushering people across the road to the early church service, one of three services listed in their sign. Better hit the road, just thirteen more hours and we’ll be home after a whirlwind trip for a family wedding.
We left the Interstate highway at Pine Bluff, Arkansas, and angled southwest across the Mississippi River bottom land of southeast Arkansas and western Mississippi. Cotton, ready to be harvested, covered the fields as far as you could see like a fluffy white blanket lying on a freshly made bed. Had it been after a January snowfall, the scenery would have been the same.
As the clock made its way toward noon, the small churches that dotted the rural roadsides and main streets of small towns began to see activity. Faithful churchgoers in their “Sunday best” stepped out of their cars and made their way up the church steps for worship. Greeters (probably pastors) stood on the front steps to welcome people to worship. Some of the small roadside churches had only five or six cars in the grass or gravel parking areas while the town churches boasted paved parking and more cars. I am sure the town churches would be considered more successful and vital because we falsely measure church success by the number of cars in the parking lot.
As the car made its way steadily south and east on Highway 65, I reflected on each of the churches we passed and the people gathering in each one. They made it a priority to be in church at the appointed hour. No matter how involved they might be at other times during the week, this time of the week was important. Setting aside time for worshipping God and gathering with His people was a needed part of the week. It was special. So they “dressed up.” It was special because they were going to meet God and His children there. It was special because the week would start in God’s house. It was special just because it was special.
The Scripture tells us, “Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed pure with water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up on meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Hebrews 10: 22-25)
After a cloudy day of travel, the sun broke below the cloud bank to put a red, orange, and pink exclamation point to the day. The last beams of sun reflected off the Mobile skyline. Only three more hours to home.
Let us draw near to God, His church and His children. Let us encourage one another. But most of all, let us not give up on meeting together.
Pete Hyde is the former Pastor of the Santa Rosa Beach Community Church.
Author: Sowal Editor
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