It was the end of the work day, so I hurriedly packed my things and headed for the door. I saw the woman sitting in the waiting area and she let out a friendly, “hello,” as a smile spread across her face. I returned the greeting, gave a quick smile of my own and walked out the office. Immediate conviction hit me as I could clearly tell the woman was looking for some sort of assistance. I brushed it off, telling myself I was in a hurry and someone else would eventually find her. I sat in my car, held the key in my hand and was ready to turn the ignition, but the conviction only grew stronger. After all, I do work at a church, so helping people in need is sort of in my job description. I begrudgingly drug myself back inside, only to find that someone else had indeed come across the woman and had reached out to assist her. I swiveled back around and headed for the car.
All the way home I thought about this missed opportunity. I wondered how many times throughout my day I came across someone hurting and in need, yet I brushed them off simply because they didn’t fit into my schedule. I wondered what would happen if instead of being so focused on doing my job within the church, I actually became the church. The literal hands and feet that we so often reference, yet so frequently fail to put into action. You see, when Jesus was here, His main objective was not to bury Himself inside the walls of the church. He WAS the church. He went to the people. He met them in their mess. He did not bind himself by rules, regulations and religion. He came to spread redemption.
So today I would challenge you, just as the situation with the woman I encountered challenged me. Untangle yourself from your schedule and agenda and open your eyes to the needs around you. Don’t just live inside the walls of the church.
BE the church.
BE the church.
