A close friend of mine sent me a link to a blog. In reading it, of course, my mind began to whirl. What kind of church body do I attend? What kind of church do I represent? How open am I? Do I 'fit in' or make others feel 'unwanted'?
I understand there needs to be protocol, set boundaries, and guidelines when leading a group of people. But do we solely base our 'Christianity' on these man-made rules? The below link really touched my heart. http://www.digtriad.com/news/article/178958/1/NC-Boy-With-Cerebral-Palsy-Asked-To-Leave-Easter-Service
What if this woman came to my local body of worship. Would I welcome her, or just sit quietly and hope the ushers greeted her? Am I too comfortable in my comfort zone? What about outside of the church walls? What if I met this person in Wal-Mart, would I smile, give a kind word, pray for her, or snub my nose, turn away for lack of something to say, be too busy to give her any mind (because I'm in a rush and it's all about me!) I have literally prayed that if I have ever made someone feel left out, not part of the group, or below me, "Daddy, please forgive me!" I am to be an ambassador for Christ. I am to share LOVE, peace, compassion with others.
The woman at the well is an example of how we are to engage others. In John 4, Jesus had a deep conversation with this woman. She, at first, could not believe this 'man' would talk with her, let alone ask for her to draw water for Him. How soft spoken He must have been, tender in His responses. His Words so full of life drawing her ever so close to the Daddy's heart. The compassion for all her hurts, pains, and rejection. When playing the scene out in my head, I wonder what do you think she was wearing? How do you think she was acting, at the beginning of the conversation? Remember, she had been married 5 times and the guy she was living with was not her hubby. Do you think she had a few scars? Do you think she had a good self image? What if because of how she was dressed, how she responded, or even the scars of being passed from husband to husband, Jesus was 'too busy', 'put off by her' or 'snubbed her because she didn't measure up to what was deemed protocol'? That is not Daddy's heart. The Word states in verse 42, "They said to the woman, “We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.”"
It's kinda funny, I have tons of stories on how I totally embarrassed my parents in church. I was about three or four and we were having revival. (we always sat in the second or third row at church) We had a guest evangelist come in and he called for a 'healing line'. This very dignified older lady was in the line. The evangelist put his hand on her head and kinda slid his hand back in her hair. Holy Spirit fell on this woman and she started dancing. And dancing she did, right out from under her wig!! Well of course, I HAD to say something!! "Mommy, look at that lady with no hair! Why is she dancing with no hair?! That's funny!" Then in one swoop, up I went and off to the 'famous' restroom for one of 'those' talks. What if my parents were asked to not come back, were not accepted, or made to feel 'unaccepted'? Where would I be? I grew up in church, have deep roots in Christianity, and have allowed Daddy to change me from the inside out. I want to be in the middle of what Jesus is doing in the world today. I want to encounter Him with such a compassionate, hungry heart so I can be an encounter to others who need an encounter with Him.
No comments:
Post a Comment