But Sunday is coming!

While living in Tennessee and Georgia I heard a phrase repeatedly … “But Sunday is coming,” as in “It might be Wednesday, but Sunday is coming!” or “I might be facing surgery, but Sunday is coming!” or “The money has run out for the month, but Sunday is coming!” It simply was a standard answer to whatever one might be facing. Whatever the trial or heartache was it could be faced with a little less anxiety because Sunday was coming.

Sunday was a time of joy and celebration. Sunday was an event in and of itself. Sunday meant Sunday school and Worship. Sunday meant dinner on the grounds. Sunday meant family and relatives gathering together. Sunday meant a “Singin’” at a country church. Sunday meant relaxation. Sunday meant an evening worship service and a trip to the DQ. Sunday was special and it was anticipated every week like the return of a long lost relative.

For most of us Sunday is “just another day” in the course of the week. Oh, it might mean that we get to go to the beach or lake. It might mean a day off from work and a favorite NFL football game. And, it might mean the gathering of some family together for a picnic. But, for most of us, we just haven’t captured the sheer joy and exuberance of those simple country folk found in their declaration, “But Sunday is coming!”

Maybe it is just a lifestyle issue. After all we socialize constantly during our week. We go to the store nearly every day for one item or another. Our days off come scattered throughout the week. We come in contact with family and friends more often than just on Sunday. We are not isolated “out on the farm” and, for most of us, we are not eking out a livin’ by the sweat of our brow and the labor of our hands. And Sunday has become “just another day” in the week … “just” another day. How sad!

In all of our modern “with it” living we have lost a precious joy that is found in the heart and spirit of the people who say, “Sunday makes my week. It just lifts my spirit and brings joy into my life. Because of Sunday, I can face the rest of the week.”

If you are among those who are searching for meaning and purpose in your life; if there is an emptiness somewhere in the depth of your soul; if you find yourself just trudging through the week with a lack of any enthusiasm; if you find it hard to get out of bed in the morning and hate facing another day; than maybe, just maybe a trip to the country folk who approach everything and face down anything with a certain joy and exuberance of “but Sunday is coming” is what the spiritual doctor would prescribe.

They’ve discovered … or never lost … the ultimate answer for life. No matter what a person is facing Jesus has the answer. It is simple, but not simplistic. It is all encompassing and all inclusive. It matters not what the problem might be, Jesus has the final say in the matter. As the old country shut-in shared one hot and humid afternoon, “When trouble comes a-knockin’ I just ask Jesus, ‘Can you answer that?’” and he has never failed me yet. It might be Monday, but Sunday is coming … it might be cancer, but Sunday is coming … it might be a fire, but Sunday is coming … it might be a divorce, but Sunday is coming … it might be trouble, but Sunday is coming … Every Sunday is resurrection day … Every Sunday brings new life where life has brought destruction and heartache … Every Sunday new life is offered filled with possibilities, hope and grace … Every Sunday … Every Sunday!

Quote for today: Do not let Sunday be taken from you. If your soul has no Sunday, it becomes an orphan. Albert Schweitzer