This week: Weekly Reminders Edited by: Jeff  
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"Only a real risk tests the reality of a belief."
— C.S. Lewis
About The Editor: Greetings! My name is Jeff and I'm one of the regular editors of the official Spiritual Newsletter! I've been a member of Writing.com since 2003, and have edited more than 400 newsletters across the site in that time. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to email me directly or submit feedback in the comment box at the bottom of this newsletter. |
Weekly Reminders
In previous editorials, I've written about how - by some assessments - the average church attendee in the United States (even among those who consider themselves "regular" churchgoers) attends church an average of 1.5 times per month, or just about once every three or four weeks. Which is in sharp contrast to just one generation ago, where weekly church attendance was the norm. There were exceptions back then as there are now, of course: illness, family vacation, work travel, etc., but it was very much a feeling that church should be a priority and an obligation that one takes seriously.
For many, the modern world presents a unique set of challenges. Many individuals have multiple demands on their time, and families compound that by the number of individuals in the family. It can be very difficult to set aside time for church every week when you have music recitals, and sports games/practice, other obligations like family dinners, errands, housekeeping, etc. I've heard from more than one friend (and have been guilty of this myself on more than one occasion) say, "I can't make it; I have a scheduling conflict" or "I just don't have the margin to make it to church this week."
Earlier this year, I wrote "Spiritual Newsletter (January 22, 2025)" about the importance of making spirituality not just a priority in our lives, but the priority. Along those lines, I know a pastor who often likens the idea of attending church as the same as going to the gym. The goal is to go regularly, so that you can train and keep yourself in shape, except in this case, it's about keeping your spiritual disciplines and faith in shape. If you only go to the gym once or twice a month, your body probably isn't going to stay in shape, much less get into shape. And if you only go to church once or twice a month, it's probably going to be pretty difficult to maintain your faith, let alone grow in it.
Now, it's possible to have disciplines outside of going somewhere to work on both of these areas. If you meticulously watch what you eat and make healthy food choices, and maintain an active lifestyle going for walks or riding a bike or whatever... then maybe the actual act of going to the gym isn't as critical for you as someone who doesn't do any of those things. And if you're already strong in your faith with a daily prayer habit, Bible reading, etc. ... then maybe the actual act of going to church isn't as critical for you as someone who doesn't do any of those things. But there is still something to be said about going to church (or the gym) and the way it keeps you in community with others who share the same goals.
With all the craziness of modern life, many of us need constant reminders of the things we need to prioritize. If we don't have those regular reminders of our physical goals we're trying to meet, it's easy to decide to sit on the couch and eat tasty foods loaded with salt and preservatives rather than going for a run and have lean protein and whole grains. Similarly, if you don't have a regular reminder of how to orient your spiritual life, it's easy to get distracted by idols and sin rather than dedicating yourself to the principles of your faith.
Church is meant to be a weekly reminder, in community, of who God is and who we are in relation to him. It's meant to combat the narratives the rest of the world tell us about how it's about us, or that we should prioritize our comfort or pleasure or own individual wants above all else. Church is where we go to reorient ourselves to the way the world should be (which, in most spiritual traditions, subjugates the self for the greater thing you believe in). While it's easy for us to let all the other things on our schedule and all the other demands on our time take priority, I think there's real value in saying, "Sorry, that two hours a week on Sunday is where I need to be reminded of my identity and my faith. For those two hours a week, that's my priority."
And, hey, if Chick-Fil-A can close their restaurants all day on Sundays, we can close our schedules for a couple of hours to make sure nothing else intrudes, right? 
Until next time,
Jeff
If you're interested in checking out my work:
"New & Noteworthy Things" | "Blogocentric Formulations"
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This month's official Writing.com writing contest is:
You are also invited to check out these items from members of the community:
| |  | The Sculptor's Enigma. (E)
A man whose skilled hands have now created an evil that can't be exorcised from our minds.
#2341902 by R☆  |
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Feedback from "Spiritual Newsletter (May 14, 2025)" about being worthy:
Hi, I liked this newsletter. It reminded me of an experience I had yesterday. I was on the bus and this guy starts talking about how he thinks we shouldn't just deport immigrants we should "kill them in the woods!" It was so scary, I felt bad for the Latinx couple he was harrasssing. The guy wouldn't stop talking about how he "wasn't racist," but this couple needed to "go back home to their own country."
I wanted to stand up to him but was also kind of scared. The bus driver finally kicked the angry guy off. The bus driver was awesome and stood up for what was right I think. Anyways, good news letter and food for thought.
— Spud 
Hi Jeff and all!
I would like to say this is a wonderful News letter! I have always wondered how the human spirit has been so devastated! Many voices of peace have been around and for long we have cherished them. I do not know who advocated for the storage of slave trade, world wars, etc. since this time, peace has prevailed. For America's issue on migration, this is the anger of a nation busting out at President Trump. America as a super power houses all religious freedom and because America stopped to defend these freedoms and went astray to allow political guidance from other nations, it lost its position. Many freedoms have been trampled all around the world and the human spirit has been ravaged. So, the busting of malfunctioning media communications!
I saw someone on Facebook dehumanizing the "King James Version of the Bible's how dare him to speak against this world marvel of wisdom!
The issue Mr. Trump is raising is ok and now Awakening is without deep learning! God didn't create only America for the human spiritual settlement. We can worship God wherever we are, but evil people have penetrated America using the human made laws and we can not dare challenge Mr. Trump because he has several points.
Leadership comes with correction, all people holding power must refrain from quick talks but reexamine the state of affairs in the world over.
I personally do not want to see the evil America, but that Holy place of Christian spirits.
Many blessings,
Richard.
— Ctjs-School 
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Spiritual: June 11, 2025 Issue [#13182]
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