What's The Most Important Thing?

I speak with people all the time who tell me that they really need to get their family in church. The thing is, they are sincere, and they really mean it. They know that it is important. The thing is... life gets in the way. There are family outings. There is baseball, softball, hockey, skating, gymnastics and so many other things that keep them busy and they just can't find time to squeeze going to church into their busy schedules. I've heard this for years as a pastor. But I've also been on the receiving end of the call when the son has been in a wreck while partying... the daughter has told them that she is pregnant. The kids are unruly and will not obey them. Their child tells them that they are gay. The adult kids reject God and the church altogether. And the parent wonders aloud where they failed. I'm going to be bold enough to say it... you failed when you chose to forego church so that your child could participate in their favorite sport. It's parents living a vicarious dream through their child, with the notion that "someday" they will do what they know is right and bring their children to church. But that day never comes, because, rather than thinking of eternal things, they focused on the temporal things... and they trained their children in the belief that God will always be there when they need him, rather than train the in the belief that we are here to serve God. If you are the parent of a young child... wake up! Ask yourself what is more important to your family on an eternal scale? If your children are already grown... you may think it is too late. It's not. Go to them and confess your failure and beg them to understand that serving God is the most important thing we can do in this life. Those trophies and pictures will mean nothing when life is over and they stand before God to be judged for eternity. Make the change today!