Waxing On Snow

We don't get much snow here in Central VA. As a matter of fact Becky and I joke that we live in the NSZ (No Snow Zone). Seems like the significant snow is always to the North, West, South or even East of us. But when we do get snow...any snow...it is treated like the major news story of the year! Yesterday we got like one half of an inch and you would think that it was a blizzard as we had our Special News Reports and packed grocery stores that are typical of the way we respond to snow here. I worked in the grocery business for 25 years and saw some amazing behavior when ANY snow fell. Now I am a pastor and today I got my first experience of the effect a Saturday PM snow fall has on our regular assembly on Sunday. We were out very early this morning checking the roads, parking lot and sidewalks and did make the choice to cancel our 9am Bible Study but held our regular 10:30 Worship Service.
We had a pretty good crowd with about 80% of our normal attendance. It was so good to be able to worship the Lord with my spiritual family...it always is!
I couldn't help but think how many churches cancelled services, adusted the schedules (including us) and how many people stayed home because of a few snow flakes. As I have been watching the AFC and NFC Championship Games today, this thought just will not leave me alone...
I wonder how often any amount of snow or bitter cold has kept, even believers, from attending NFL football games...I know I have a pastor's perspective but right now I am watching the Packers and Giants on TV at Lambeau Field..it is not snowing but it is -6 degrees, with a -30 windchill and the place is sold out and "rockin!" The game has just gone into OT and noone seems to be worried about the length of the game (much longer than one hour), the cold, or that they have to be at work in the morning...it is "Championship Sunday!" We admire these hearty people as "diehards" and "true fans." Nothing stops them from going to the games and they don't care what anybody thinks about their loyalty to the team. They wear the colors, paint their faces and cheer until their voices are gone...Can you imagine what Church would be like if we believed it was as important as a football game? I guess we simply get excited about what we really believe in and do what we really want to do...
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. (Hebrews 10:23-25)

Much more certain than any Conference Championship Game or Super Bowl, the Day of the Lord is coming!

But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. (2 Peter 3:8-10)