After a while, church begins to feel a little like a well-choreographed dance. Like, we kind of know what we're getting when we drive up to 35 Olympia Ave on Sunday morning.

• First, we chit-chat with our friends…
• Then we sing a couple songs…
• Then we listen to a message…
• Then we sing and pray a little more…

And then we grab the kids and head back home.

It’s nice. It’s structured. It’s predictable. And don’t get me wrong, it’s not like our hearts aren’t in it. It’s just an established routine so we pretty much know what to expect. If that’s you, I get it—I understand.

BUT...

That is not how things are supposed to be when God’s people are together!

When the local church gathers there ought to be this anticipation in the air that something transformative is about to take place and I don’t want to miss it!

Long gone should be the days where we show up late, doze off in the sermon, and leave without experiencing the presence of God.

So how do we get there? How do we go from Sunday apathy to enjoying God more fully?

Here are three ways.

1.     BE EXPECTANT

Jesus said, “When two or more are gathered in my name I will be with them.” (Mt 18:20) He also said before he ascended into heaven, “I will be with you always.” (Mt 28: 20) Think about that for just one second… Jesus—the King of kings, the Lord of lords, the Alpha and the Omega—He is with us. When we drive to church we’re not just driving to a warehouse with limited parking spots and great coffee. We're driving to a specific location on earth where Jesus is present in a uniquely different way than when we drive to the gym.

There should be this expectation that people are going to be ministered to and transformed when they get to church because one cannot be with Jesus and not be changed.
 

2.     BE EXCITED

Paul opens his most theological letter with a very real emotion… He writes in Romans 1, “I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong.” (v.11) What Paul is saying is that he is excited to see the people of the Roman church. He can’t wait to connect with them. And notice what he wants to do…He wants to serve them, to make them stronger in their faith! One of my favorite things about GENESIS are the volunteers who are excited to serve the church. Sometimes I wonder, “why are people excited to help park cars or hold babies?” The answer is they are excited to serve the people God is sending to GENESIS.
 

3.     BE ENGAGED

If you don’t want to miss what God’s doing, then you must have your eyes and ears open to your surroundings. Do you feel bored in worship? Maybe trying singing and raising your hands in surrender. Do you feel lost in the sermon? Maybe try taking notes and following the preacher’s points. Do you feel disconnect from community? Maybe step out of your comfort zone and meet new people. It’s as cliché as it gets buts it’s true, “you’ll only get out of something what you are willing to put into it.”

If you want to enjoy Sunday more fully, then be expectatant to see God, be excited for all that He is doing, and get engaged!