Don't be the Weakest Link by Susan Shull

Disclaimer: Please forgive me if I sound like your nagging great aunt- you know, the one you don’t like very much.

Have you ever considered your importance in God’s big picture? Paul tells us in Acts 17:24-27 that God determined exactly where and when each of us would live. In his wisdom, he knows the best circumstances that might cause people to seek him and reach out for him. He cares about each of us and has a perfect plan for us. We might think our lives aren’t really important, that the decisions we make don’t really affect anyone besides ourselves. But, thinking that way would be wrong.

Each of us is a link in a chain of faith from Adam and Eve into eternity. If the chain breaks with you, who will that impact? Generations and generations of your family members may miss out on eternal life and heaven if you don’t stay close to your heavenly Father, walking through life with Him as your comforter and guide. Kind of scary, isn’t it?

I am so thankful to have been raised in a Christian home. My church-going parents and extended family members have been a great example for me. Since I have turned several pages on life’s calendar, I can better appreciate the sacrifices made in order to be that example. I would love to be able to thank the previous generations for staying true to their commitments to the Lord, thereby making it much more likely that those who followed them would accept Christ as Lord and Savior. Now it is my turn to be the example.

Every generation, I guess, has those who are pillars of the church. You know the type-those who could be counted on to attend regularly, who were “workers” in the church. Some of those worked in a visible, in-front way and others were quiet, behind-the-scenes-prayer warriors. These people were the Sunday school teachers, youth group leaders, and casserole-toters of my youth and adulthood. They came to church and brought their families with them.

WARNING! Here comes the scolding-great-aunt-who-probably-doesn’t- know-the-whole-story-and-who-should- mind- her- own- business part. Where are these families now? It seems many of them are A.W.O.L., attending on holidays or even an occasional Sunday morning, hurrying out the door as soon as the last Amen is said, depriving their children and themselves of Sunday School, church friends, and possibly, heaven forbid, a relationship with Christ.

This just breaks my heart. God doesn’t promise us that just because our parents or grand-parents are Christians, we have a ticket to heaven. Each person must come to the saving knowledge of Christ on his own, but it will be so much easier to see the need if one is sitting in the pew every Sunday and in Sunday School right after that.

So….. when you are tempted to push the snooze button, roll over, and go back to sleep on Sunday morning, DON’T DO IT! The destination of eternity for those who will follow you may depend on your example of being a faithful servant. Please don’t break the chain.