Be honest. When was the last time you were glad to go to church?

Ps. 122:1 I was glad when they said to me, "Let us go to the house of the LORD."

Be honest.  When was the last time you could say you were glad to go to church?  We attend church for a variety of reasons, but do we do so out of gladness?  Are you so connected with Christ that you can't wait to get to church? 

Does the stuff of life sap the gladness out of you?  It is easy to let life determine our attitude in worship.  We can focus on the things of life, or we can focus our thoughts on God.  What we focus on determines whether or not gladness follows us as we gather for worship.

Gladness is not something we can manufacture for special events.  It is rooted in the heart and flows from it.  It is nurtured by living consistently in relationship with Christ everyday.  Gladness is rooted in thankfulness.  The more grateful you are for Christ in your life, the more naturally gladness will flow from your heart.  Consider the goodness and blessings of the Lord and watch your heart bubble with gladness.

Do people sap the gladness out of you?  People are not always easy to get along with, even in church.  There are issues that arise that cause us to not want to be around certain people.  Some have personality traits that rub us the wrong way.  Regardless of the situation, let me ask you this, "Do you gather for worship to be with people or with the Lord?  Is your focus on the people that surround you or on God who envelopes you?"  When God is the focus of our worship, then gladness drives our worship.

Does sin sap the gladness out of you?  We all sin and it has an adverse affect on us.  It damps our souls.  We are plagued by guilt and shame.  God seems so far away.  The only remedy of our sin problem is to confess them before the Lord, ask Him to forgive us, and determine in our hearts to go and sin no more.  When our hearts are pure before God, there is a spring in our steps; gladness floods our souls.

Does weariness sap the gladness out of you?  Learn the meaning of the word no when there is too much on your plate and get some rest for your soul.  No one can maintain gladness of heart when they are physically and mentally worn out and frazzled. 

"I was glad when they said to me, Let us go to the house of the LORD."