Running Late?

June, 2003

by: Becky Barnfather

You know, I've been at Calvary Bible Church for about 12 years. It was here that I began in the College Ministry and became quite familiar with the phrase “Calvary time.” I guess I never thought it was very funny when I would show up on time and no one else arrived for another twenty or thirty minutes. Arriving to church on time has always been somewhat important to me. Oh, yes, there are the occasional last minute problems, traffic jams, and tie ups. But, let's be honest — that doesn't happen every time we go to church, right?

The Bible doesn't have a lot to say about being “late” or even use the word “late” with regards to being on time. But when you're late, it affects others. And the Bible does talk about considering others. If you're late, you are not considering at all how that affects others who have worked hard to be on time. According to Webster's Dictionary, to consider someone else is “to keep in mind, to be thoughtful of others.” It would be self–centered of someone to think that their time is more important than yours. (I Cor. 10:24). One verse comes to my mind, “Do nothing out of selfishness or empty conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (Phil. 2:3-4). By being constantly late, you are not considering that others have made an effort to be on time so that they can begin our meeting, Bible Study, or service on time without others straggling in. Imagine if you planned a dinner party at your home and everyone arrived an hour late. Wouldn't that be inconsiderate of others to make you wait an extra hour for them?

One other consideration is the kind of an example you set by being late. Again, occasionally being late for reasons unforeseen is one thing. But, if each week you know it's going to take you fifteen minutes to get to church, ten minutes to drop off your kids, another five minutes to get over to church…well, planning ahead would be both wise and thoughtful. Taking the time each night to prepare for the next day, leaving an extra fifteen minutes early, or getting up an additional fifteen minutes to half hour early are all ways that you can keep yourself from being late. Leaders and parents are especially the ones who need to set the example to others. As a leader, whether a Sunday School teacher, Bible study leader, elder, or pastor you need to be on time to set an example to others that they are important (I Pet. 5:2-4). As a parent, you set the precedent for your children in how important it is to arrive to church on time. Imagine how selfless it is of you to give your time to others by being considerate and planning ahead to arrive to your destination on time. Now, don't you think that it is pleasing to God when we make our best effort to arrive to church on time?