A good first step, my friends, is to simply go to church

While we consumed a delicious piece of Flapper pie, a friend told me, “I’m having a hard time going back to church and getting back into stuff like that.”

Have you ever thought this yourself? Perhaps, “How do I even know which church to attend?” or, “Where do I even begin to get back into this?”

Recently I was given the wonderful opportunity to speak at an assembly at a local school. The topic was ‘Christian Unity.’ Looking out at the students and teachers assembled together, I knew they too were asking these same questions and wondering about their future in this regard.

I share the same message with you I shared with them. A good first step, my friends, is to simply go to church. Where?

Ask a friend or family member where they go, and see if you can go along with them. It is so much easier to go with someone than alone. If you used to go to church, or had a good experience at one, try going back there next Sunday. There are many wonderful churches, pastors and priests here, and any of them would welcome a conversation with you.

Do you have a Bible? If you do, can I encourage you to read it? This sounds elementary, but so often Bibles become a dust magnet, sitting atop a mantle. The Bible truly contains the words of life, words that can change you! Perhaps this week you can open to the Gospel of St. John, and hear the words of Christ. If you do not have one, many churches give them away, cost free. You can ask for one this Sunday after service.

Finally, take some time to pray. Simply open a conversation with the Lord — He hears you. If you haven’t for some time, just start plainly. You may recall the Lord’s Prayer from school, start there. You may have Rosary beads lying around somewhere, pray those. Try the Jesus Prayer“Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” The important key is to just talk and be honest.

The bottom line is that it can be hard to go back to church and to return to faith. That is a reality for many. So start small. Take one step at a time. Remember these words from St. Matthew 18:12- “What do you think? If someone has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, won’t he leave the ninety-nine on the hillside and go and search for the stray?”

He loves you, He died for you, and He searches for you.

Grant Crichton is the associate pastor at Victory Lutheran Church