'Someday' Sunday event to welcome procrastinators

Procrastinators like to wait until the last minute to get things done. As a matter of fact, the procrastinators motto is, “Never do today what you can put off until tomorrow.”

Rev. Robert Weaver • First Baptist Church

I have been asked: “Why do you wait until the last minute?” I gave a very spiritual answer. I believe Jesus is going to return to the earth as Lord and King, and will remake heaven and Earth. I do not want to do something that Jesus is going to undo if he should return today. (My wife does not buy that answer any more than you just did.)
There are a lot of people who procrastinate about spiritual decisions. “Someday, I will think about God.” “Someday, I will get ready to face eternity.” “Someday, I will attend church.” “Someday!”
Come Jan. 4, 2012, I will have been in Vandalia for seven years. The time has flown by, and I have enjoyed every minute serving as pastor at Vandalia First Baptist Church.
In the past seven years, many people who do not attend church have told me, “Someday, pastor, I am going to surprise you and show up for a church service.” (This statement is usually followed by a discussion on how we will need to reinforce the roof structure so it does not fall in on us.) I have lost count of how many people have promised to visit, but have never come.
Someday may never get here. The Bible tells us in James 4:14, “Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.” So do not wait any longer to join me on Sunday.
Oh, I know, the reasons for not attending church are many; and some are valid. “Sunday is my only day off, and I want to spend it with my family.” Bring them with you to church; they will get over the shock by the end of the service.
“I do not have any ‘church clothes’ to wear.” Any clothes you have will become “church clothes” as soon as you wear them to church.
“I am an avid (insert your favorite sports team) fan, and the best games are always on Sunday. I do not want to miss the incredibly long pregame show.” TiVo the pregame and the game, and watch it when you get home. (If you do not have TiVo, set your VCR to record the game.)
“I have to get up early for work, and Sunday is the only day I have to sleep in.” At Vandalia First Baptist, our morning worship service does not start until 10:45 a.m. You are sleeping in, not hibernating! As a matter of fact, this coming Sunday we will set the clocks back one hour, so you can get an extra hour of sleep before you come. (If you don’t stay up an extra hour because you are setting the clock back an hour.)
The excuses are many and varied, and you can always find a reason to put off doing something you do not want to do. Thus, I am going to give you two months to get everything ready so you can fulfill your promise to me and other people to “someday” attend church.
We are declaring Sunday, Jan. 8, 2012, at Vandalia First Baptist Church (and I am sure every other church in town will make the same declaration) “Someday” Sunday!
On Jan. 8, you can fulfill your promise to visit me “someday.” As a matter of fact, we will have a special worship service that we have been planning for “someday” in the future. I have a special sermon that I have been working on to share “someday.”
So over the next two months, get yourself prepared. Find clothes that you can call your “church clothes.” (Ask for them for Christmas.) Get a DVR or figure out how to work your VCR. Take Saturday, Jan. 7, and sleep in so you can be ready to get up by 10 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 8.
Be ready, because “Someday” Sunday is coming! I hope you will keep your promise and join me at church on “Someday,” Jan. 8!