On Friday morning, when we Sunrise Club* members are taking off our basketball shoes, I say, “I hope ya’ll have a great weekend.”

In my thoughts, I add a tag, “especially Sunday morning.”

Bottom line is we live and breathe to worship the true God. And I’m not making a distinction here between Muslim, Jew, Christian, Hindu, or any other faith system, as in “the true God who is the God Christians worship while the pagans haven’t a clue.” I believe at times we Christians are as far off the mark as some fellow in a loin cloth who bows down to worship a banana peel.

Really? You think that?

Yes, I really do.

But why?

Because we tend to approach Sunday morning like a New York City food critic approaches a Podunk, Iowa buffet spread. She arrives expecting to be unimpressed and has sharpened pencil in hand to jot down her barbed witticisms.

“The Stuff Your Face Buffet and Car Wash had the ambience of a funeral parlor. If only it had smelled half as nice. My recommendation is skip the meal and get the double-coat-rinse-and-wax special. Afterwards you’ll feel a lot better, and both your car and tummy will thank you.”

Ah, you think I jest. So let me ask you a few questions?

First of all, do you worship with others?

If yes, do you prepare for that experience during the week?

What? Do you think I’m the pastor? It’s not like I have to preach or anything. I just show up.

Ah, yes, just show up. That’s great. And since you brought it up, when you show up, how do you view the pastor’s message? Is it like root beer, something you either love or hate (and with root beer there seems to be no middle ground)?

Or the worship team’s selection of songs?

Or the pianist/organist’s playing?

Or the prayer time?

Or the reading of Scripture?

Do you approach the worship experience as something to be evaluated or do you come ready to honor the true God, to invest all that you have and are into His worship and service?

Because if you don’t invest in worship by preparing your soul during the week and you arrive expecting to be unimpressed, pencil or tongue sharpened for those barbed witticisms, you might as well be dressed in a loin cloth and bowing to a banana peel.

Question: How do you prepare for Sunday morning worship?

*Sunrise Club is the before-school basketball group that plays in our local high school gym.