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I recently moved to a new town. I don t like change. My husband knows it, my family knows it, and my friends know it. Along with our relocating we visited several places of worship. We belong to a nondenominational church that is proactive. So it would seem like an easy goal when moving. Find a church with like values, and serve alongside our fellow Christians.
Our home church has one Sunday morning service. Afterwards we all collect at one of our homes for lunch, not only enjoying each other s company, but reflecting on the morning s message and how we will work that out in the week ahead, individually or collectively depending on the plan. Often our day turns to night as we conspire. This is what I mean by proactive.
After visiting several churches we found one that was close to the doctrine we espouse. Our first visit was awkward, as expected. We did spot a few people my husband worked with, but they were busy about their Sunday. We reminded each other that people don t know us and not everyone does church or Sundays for that matter the same. Isn t Exodus 20:8 more than about not working for your employer? Doesn t Hebrews 10:25 give us good reason? Isaiah 58:13-14 tells us so beautifully and certainly how we can benefit by not planning that one day, at the very least to be our own.
Each Sunday following we stood outside in the parking lot suspended, hoping that a plan or person, for that matter would come to us. We did get a coupon for two free lattes one morning, and last week, after many visits, we received an invitation in the mail to attend a new member s lunch. Not like home.
Equally important to us if not more, is finding places to serve the poor. Having had years of experience in community and social services I had some ideas. One is to help at the local food bank. There is a very good one in this town. They are open often and provide more than food. I was welcomed right as I walked in the door. I saw as people came in that were in need they were greeted with warmth and compassion. The people volunteering there were familiar with many of the customers and inquired as to their individual situations, as they did mine. Each time I went back, my co-workers welcomed me and shared some of their life stories as well. Maybe not all those coming in for help truly needed to be there, but the care they received was integral to their life. It s not my job to qualify people, just get to know them to find what their need is so I can facilitate that.
Why was it so much easier to be with the lowly, even ruffians of the town than the good Christians? Why are people so busy on Sundays, too busy? As Christians, shouldn t we be about the business of loving people besides our immediate families? It is not my job to judge them, but like the man or women who comes to the food bank smelling of liquor, or the woman dressed in fine clothes grabbing more food than she may need, is my job to get to know my fellow Christians and facilitate them to love and good deeds.
Cyntia
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