What We See

They tell me that taking the first step into a building is the most difficult. In most cases, people are afraid of the unknown. They have no idea what to expect. I remember doing this a few times when out shopping, wondering what’s inside. Once I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that I didn’t need to be there. Some stores leave their front doors open all the time as a way of removing the barrier between customers and their products.
Today I want us to ask, “What do people see when they’re on the inside?” You go to some place new and find yourself looking around and wondering, what’s that for, why did they do that, who picked this architecture or decorating style? All kinds of questions, once inside.
When we apply this to church, it adds another dimension. How do they worship? What can I expect? Will I feel at home or uncomfortable? Will things happen that startle me or put me at ease? You see, when people arrive they have not only these questions but many more.
What does our church look like to a new person who has never been here before? Will it reflect who we are or is it too old fashion or too traditional? After they get by the front door, this is what I think they see. If I am wrong, please email me and let me know I am totally off base. barlowrw@yahoo.com
They have made the effort, arrived early, been greeted and seated. Now, what do they see. I think they see the people engaged in saying hello, smiling, laughing, and just enjoying seeing old friends and meeting new one. There are people going from one side to the other, front to back and back again. It looks like they not only enjoy where they are, but the people seemed to act like family. This is the warm feeling they are greeted by and they like what they see. There are even the odd person, odd, meaning number not odd in strange, coming up and saying hello. What a wonderful time.
Just when things are really getting going, the minister walks in and everyone sits down and put on a sullen face. What happened? Arriving at the podium, (they don’t like the word pulpit anymore), and say, “Welcome to worship” And everyone looks sad. I would be too. And so begins worship. Stand up, sit down, sing songs you will never remember the words to, and just listen and do what you are told. There the people sit trying as they must to stay awake. Worship is to be connecting to a God of love and . . . “What is happening?”, these people must be asking themselves because they dare not ask out loud.
When the sermon is over, some of them are woken from their slumber by the announcement of the closing hymn. This then followed by the benediction, whatever that is, and a solemn, “Amen, Amen, A-a-a-a-men.” Now how can we top that. We have begun with laughter and conversation and what happened. Just when it seems all is lost, the sleeping arise and continue on where they left off when the minister came in the door. Not to be sacrilegious, it is almost as if it is a pre reflection of the resurrection. Take a look around, fourteen seconds after the last amen, those who were dead in Christ are raised.
Sorry, but I want to meet with God. I want to feel the privilege of meeting with the King and stepping into His presence. Not with a solemn face, but with radiance, shining with love and joy that we know just by being close to Him. If you were given the chance to meet one on one with Queen Elizabeth, would you be reserved? Would you just sit there stone faced and listen or would you have questions, or have answers for her?
The same can be said for those moments when we step into the presence of God, recognize Him for who is, really sing those words and realize, “The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. Now IF we are "children" -- then we are HEIRS -- heirs of God, and co-heirs . . Something I thought about Rob