September 16, 2008
Highway
Pond
I
saw a surprising sight today while driving and getting stuck in traffic through
a road construction project. What was surprising was the sight of two turtles
(because it is getting cold here and the second was seldom have I seen two
turtles together.)
Next
to the incredibly busy highway was a small pond. Perhaps it would be better
described as a slough with a little open water.
There
was nothing special about the place; it wasn’t much different than thousands
like it I have seen before. One scene does stick in my mind though.
Sitting
blissfully on a floating log and basking in the sun were two small turtles. They
seemed completely oblivious to the tens of thousands of cars that passed by
daily less than a hundred feet away.
Sometimes
the church is like that pond. Christians sit blissfully unaware in their little
sanctuaries as the world passes by.
The
church needs to be a place where the hurting can come to find the comfort and
love that is available only through Jesus. People need time to heal from their
wounds.
At
the same time, however, we need to be equipping people to go out and find the
lost, the hurting and the outcast. Our role is not to remain blissfully unaware
of things going on around us.
Jesus
told a story about a man and a feast:
Jesus
replied: "A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many
guests. At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had
been invited, `Come, for everything is now ready.'
"But
they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, `I have just bought a
field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.'
"Another
said, `I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I'm on my way to try them out.
Please excuse me.'
"Still
another said, `I just got married, so I can't come.'
"The
servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house
became angry and ordered his servant, `Go out quickly into the streets and
alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.'
"‘Sir,'
the servant said, `what you ordered has been done, but there is still room.'
"Then
the master told his servant, `Go out to the roads and country lanes and make
them come in, so that my house will be full. I tell you, not one of those men
who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.'
Luke 14:16-24 NIV
The
Master has plenty of room at His table for those unwelcome at many places. Part
of our role as servants is to seek them out and invite them to come.
Perhaps
it is time to get up off your warm, sunny log and go out in search of someone to
bring to the Master’s feast.
Until
next time, may you find an opportunity to share the story of God’s
overwhelming abundance with someone.
There
are a lot of people waiting for us to get off our logs, out of our comfort zone,
off our pews and do what the church is supposed to do!
God
bless.
Darrel
Mason