In 1988, DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince released their classic hip hop single, “Parents Just Don’t Understand.” The song regaled of how parents and teenagers are on two different pages and parents don’t get why their kids do what they do. It was a memorable and entertaining piece.
The lyrics of the song came to mind when thinking of how faithful Christians try to explain to their friends, family members, neighbors and coworkers why they attend church services so often. Sometimes we get the question, “Why do you go to church three times a week? Isn’t once a week more than enough?” One Christian was even asked if he was a really bad sinner and that’s why he went to church all the time. We try to explain but folks “just don’t understand.”
Folks just don’t understand that we “go to church all the time” because we deeply love the Lord. We don’t “go” because we “have to go.” We “go” because we “long to go.” The “greatest” thing we can do is to “love the Lord with all of our hearts” (Matt. 22:36-37), and our worship is THE premier time to do that. Why would I want to miss out on an opportunity to praise my God?
Folks just don’t understand that we “go to church all the time” because we deeply love the Bible. The psalmist wrote the longest chapter in the Bible (176 verses) about his greatest treasure on earth—God’s Word. Twelve times in that psalm, he exclaimed his “love” (even “exceedingly”) for God’s Word, more than anything else. Assemblies on Sundays and Wednesdays are THE premier time for me to study and learn more of it with my brethren. Why would I want to miss out on an opportunity to spend time with and in God’s Word?
Folks just don’t understand that we “go to church all the time” because we deeply love our church family. One of the major blessings “in Christ” (Eph. 1:3) is being “set…in the body just as He pleased” (1 Cor. 12:18) and enjoying the “one another” relationships that we have in the church. “Going to church” is THE premier time for me to be with those whom I love so much. Why would I want to miss out on an opportunity to be surrounded by the family of God?
The Fresh Prince rapped about how the kids at school were “cracking up laughing at the clothes Mom bought” and “pointing and whispering as I walked down the hall.” But here is what his mom told him at home: “If they were laughing you don’t need them, ‘Cause they’re not good friends.” It’s ok for folks to ask you “why you go to church so often,” but truly good friends will not mock you for it. Surround yourself with people who support you in your decisions, especially as those decisions relate to your faith.