I am at a place in my life where I wonder about the things in my life in which I have invested so much.  It is sort of a high-level second-guessing of all the decisions made in my life.  You know what I am saying here because you have been there yourself.  You feel regret that you could have spent more time with the more important things and less time watching others do the things you should have done.

This second-guessing reaches into every part of my history.  Everything from wearing a hat in the sun to prevent skin cancers, to my propensity to eat too much, to the time spent taking naps, and even to the time and effort to go to church.

It is this last question that has me in a quandary today.  Once I started to wonder about the efficacy of church, I went down a rat hole questioning about my current church role.  I must ask myself (not always a very intelligent conversation), “Is the institution which I have a membership and attend regularly, the place for me.”  In my current point in my life, is it worth the time, talent and treasure, I am pouring into an address?

I am fully aware this self-introspection sounds a little weird coming from someone that has already invested so much.  I have been the one crying, cajoling, begging, pleading, bribing and dragging others to the church most of my adult life. I have been the one who stood between heaven and hell for a number of people.  I have told countless souls of the necessity of being part of the Body of Christ.  I have quoted scripture after scripture, hoping to sway someone to come to church.

Never-the-less, here I am wondering if it was all worth it.  It was once said, “there is no perfect church as long as I am in it.”  I think it was Mark Twain that said, “I would not want to join any group that would want me.”  It really gets down to why do thoughtful, believing, serious people attend my local church in the first place.

I need some help.  I very seldom ask for assistance, I see myself as being very capable and able to handle most things.  Here is the task:  If you go to church, tell me why, if you don’t go to church, tell me why.  I am writing something for publication and outside of the normal everyday reasons and sometimes trite quotes, I want real feelings and real reasons why.  Please pass this on to all that would be willing to add their two cents.  Thank you.