Absent Again
Nº 239
weekly devotions to refresh your soul by Dr. Dan Bolin - February 28, 2023
They who would grow in grace must love the habitation of God’s house. It is those that are planted in the courts of the Lord who shall flourish, and not those that are occasionally there. - John Angell James
Absenteeism is a big problem in schools and the workplace. Students who don’t show up for school fall behind their peers, and if the problem persists, they may never catch up. Workers’ absenteeism leads to lower productivity and increased costs. Studies indicate that absenteeism costs businesses between several hundred and a few thousand dollars each year – for every employee!
Everyone gets sick or has an occasional personal issue they need to address. That is normal; teachers and employers expect a few misses. It is the chronic offenders that generate the problems.
Like schools and businesses, the church has a chronic absenteeism problem. The writer of Hebrews addressed the threat this way, “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another.” (Hebrews 10:25a)
This exhortation is more than a nice reminder to attend church on Sunday – although that is a significant part of God’s plan. Spending time in Christian community is crucial for our spiritual growth and development. Don’t let absenteeism become routine. Commit to attend church and participate in a community that will provide the encouragement we all need.
Dan Bolin
Author & President
Refueling in Flight Ministries, Inc.
