The fastest growing religious group in America today is the “nones;” those that don’t identify with a religion at all. Maybe you fall into that category. There are a variety of reasons why people choose not to seek out a group of Christians on Sunday, and many of them represent valid concerns and problems that shouldn’t exist. But have you considered what you might be missing out on?

1. It Gives Me A Chance to Reflect

Our lives are increasingly busy these days. The average American works forty-seven hours a week. When we’re not at work, we spend our time rushing from one after-school activity to another. On top of that, social media provides a constant pressure to live up to the “perfect lives” that our friends portray in their posts and pictures. All this is exhausting!

The church is a way to stop for a couple of hours and regain my focus. It helps me to remember what is truly important in life, and what will truly matter after I die. It gives me an opportunity to remember that God is in control, and that thing I’m worried about really isn’t such a big deal. “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalms 46:10).

2. The People That Truly Care

I know that the people in the church aren’t perfect. Sometimes they do things that are unkind. Sometimes they say one thing. But do another. That’s part of the reason I love the church. It’s not a collection of perfect people. It’s a group of broken people who struggle with sin and realize that they NEED a Savior. They understand my struggles, because they struggle, too. At the end of the day, they love me and want to help me grow as a person. They want to see me win, and ultimately, help me get to Heaven. And they crave that same love and help for themselves, too.

Jesus didn’t say that the true disciples would always have their act together. He said they would always care. “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35). That is something that makes the church truly special.

3. Jesus Loves the Church

I saved the best for last. The Bible is clear that Jesus loves the church. “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her” (Ephesians 5:25). He loves the church so much, He died for it. He shed His own blood for the church (Acts 20:28). If Jesus loves the church that much, then it is clearly something special. It is something that I should love, too because I love Him.

I don’t know all the reasons why you may be staying away from the church, but I do know that the church is a special place because it was designed by God, and built by Jesus. Don’t miss out on one of the greatest things on earth. We may not have all the answers, but we know the One who does.