1 Samuel 16:7
New International Version (NIV)
7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.®
Things haven't changed all that much from old testament times. You may have noticed that our society is appearance oriented. People are valued for their external beauty without any consideration for what lies beneath the perfect exterior. The assumption is that if the person is beautiful or handsome, well groomed, and well dressed, then they must be a quality person. If they live in a nice house and drive a nice vehicle, then they are to be valued.
We carry a variation of this into church with us frequently. It is easy to look around the church and see people dressed nicely, groomed appropriately, and behaving calmly and assume that they live perfect lives. It is daunting to go into church and compare yourself and your life ( with all its imperfections) with the people that you see around you. How often do we feel alone in the midst of a crowded sanctuary because we assume that everyone else lives a great life. The truth is that the church sanctuary has become a big room full of people wearing masks, afraid to take them off for fear of being ridiculed, looked down on, or shunned.
We know that our heavenly Father loves everyone there enough that He sent His Son to die on the cross for each and every one. He loves them whether they are wearing earrings, nose rings or ring around the collar. He loves them if they have blue hair, gray hair, wear a bun, a mullet, or a Mohawk, or have no hair at all. He loves them whether they wear a new designer outfit every week or the same worn suit or dress every week. As a mom, I delight in having my kids come home no matter how they look or smell. I am just happy to spend time with them and love them. I believe that is how God feels about the people at church.
How would Christ treat people at church? He would greet them warmly as they come in and when they leave. He would look them in the eyes, shake their hand or give them a hug and truly listen to what they have to say. He would look beyond the mask and ask them how things are REALLY going for them. He would identify needs and find ways or people to meet those needs He would listen, love, and comfort them. He would make sure that NO ONE sits alone. He would encourage the discouraged, entertain a restless child so that a tired mother can relax and hear the sermon. He would encourage members to share what God had done in their lives that week. He would rejoice with each answered prayer. He would provide food before the service so that no one would be sitting in the service with gnawing hunger pangs.
Should we do any less? Furthermore, shouldn't we set an example of authenticity by not trying to hide our weaknesses and needs ? I don't propose that we poor mouth or give an organ recital, but that we share the ways that God has worked in our life and brought us through the week.
If we look around our church and only see well dressed, wealthy, beautiful ,healthy, pious people, then there is a big problem. We should be asking why the rest of God's people are under represented in our congregation. We should be seeing seniors and children, teens, and tots. We should be seeing individuals who are gay, lesbian, or straight. We should be seeing individuals in wheelchairs, those who are Deaf, blind, intellectually disabled, or autistic. We should be seeing individuals with mental illness, and addictions.
If we are not, we need to ask some tough questions. Are we bigoted or biased? Are we so unwilling to see the needs of others that we allow them to leave and withdraw from our congregation without seeking to bring them back? Are we making our church a welcoming, accessible place for individuals with disabilities? Do we include them in the services? Do we have the same people up front every week and fail to discover and use the talents of others? Are we afraid of sinners? If so what are we afraid of? Are we afraid that we will be considered guilty by association? Do we view ourselves as better than those who sin differently than we do? Do we consider ourselves sinless?
Our sanctuary should be a place of safety and healing, a hospital for the wounded, the excluded, the hurting, and the sinners. It is not a private club for perfect, beautiful people.
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