Father, praise You for the wonderful day! We had good times of worship; Karen and I had a delightful day together and a pleasant time with her mother, as well. As we wrap this day up, please bless our time together, and then may we have a restful night of sleep. Amen.
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As I was writing last Friday’s post (That Makes My Heart Hurt!), I could not help but think of a long-time friend’s post on her Facebook page. I pray that you will read this post and allow God to speak to your heart about how you would respond.
The Pastor says they sit front and center. The gay boys. Sometimes, they hold hands. And some folks have said he should address the issue. But the Pastor tells me he doesn’t know what to say.
And then there’s the man who sneaks in the back door, fresh off the street, after the service starts and leaves before the altar call. The people sitting close to him complain about how bad he smells—of beer, smoke, and sweat. But the Pastor tells me he doesn’t know what to say.
And then there’s the young mama who wears dirty clothes and lets her four children come in, eat all the donuts, and drink all the watered-down juice. Some church staff say they “…eat like little pigs. Like they haven’t eaten in weeks.” While the Mama just stands there and lets them. And the elders say something must be done and said. But the Pastor tells me he doesn’t know what to say.
And there’s the prostitute sitting among the faithful…everybody knows her. She sits with a painted-up face, cheap perfume, and a broken heart. And those who sit close, well, they all treat her for what they think she is. And at the last staff meeting, her name came up. Something must be done about her. But the Pastor tells me he doesn’t know what to say.
The Pastor is a good man—holy and just. He wants to do the “right and loving” thing and “look like Jesus.” He asked me if I had any thoughts on anything he could say.
Yes, sweet Pastor. I do. Start with this and say it Louder than any other words:
“Welcome to Church. This is a place of love and hope and safety and forgiveness. We will be food for the hungry and living water for the thirsty. We are so glad you are here. You are invited. You are loved. Come on in—we’ve been waiting on you. Welcome here. We are the church.”
Say that. To the called and to the called-out. To the leaders and the greeters. To the dirty and the clean. We are all the same. We are.
May we blow the dust of religion out of our souls and choose love instead. May our words, and actions, and reactions be a sanctuary for all.
Jesus broke many laws to love. So, Jesus, be our voice. Please, be the only words we ever speak. I believe this with all my heart. Years ago, we were kinder. Everybody looked out for one another. We need to go back to that. It takes us all. We have to do better at looking out for each other instead of breaking each other down.
For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ Matthew 25:35-40 NIV
Mar 10th, 2024, Sun, 8:16 pm
