I get continually encouraged as I read scripture. I have been going through the gospels the last few months focusing on the character of Jesus. I have a post-it that I use to mark my page and on it I write down different traits of Jesus that pop out as I read. It’s filled with words like compassionate, gentle, unyielding, honest, etc…
I have to chuckle a little bit when Jesus gets exasperated with the disciples. It really took me aback at first. But it really brings me encouragement; I’m like, “Oh snap, there’s hope for me.” Jesus really loved the disciples and they definitely didn’t always get it and they made mistakes, which is so true of me.
Its so relatable when characters in the Bible screw up or have weakness. I really like it in 1 Corinthians 2:3 when Paul says; “I came to you in weakness and fear, and with trembling.” Paul you get afraid? Your like “Da’ man,” See what I mean? Relatable!
Sunday night at second service I was supposed to preach. I really didn’t want to, I had preached at morning service. It was last minute and I really didn’t have anything prepared. I thought, I have nothing else to say. So I sat there confessing, “Lord, I have been at church for 5 hours today, I already preached once, I am sorry, I don’t know why I don’t want to be here. Why don’t I want to worship you?”
Then I thought of Paul.
Lets look at 1 Corinthians 2 again, verses 2-5; “For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you with weakness and fear, and with much trembling. My message, and my preaching were not with wise persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirits power so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power.”
“Oh, that’s right,” praise the Lord it is not on my strength or my power, but on God’s.
I really like this section of scripture. I like to try and be in tune with the Spirit. So I bowed my head and chatted with the Lord again. Asking the Spirit to lead me and counsel me on what to share. I had a few thoughts pop in my head and thought okay I’ll roll with it.
We were dancing, oh, how we were dancing, we were clapping, but really I don’t have great rhythm, (someday it will come) so I was mostly dancing. I admit, there was lots of singing, but not much from me because I can’t seem to make out the syllables in this language. The sun was setting and a breeze had settled in and I noticed that street children had gathered outside and were dancing to the music.
The children mesmerized me. I couldn’t turn my gaze from them, watching them was bringing me so much joy. Through out the night more and more gathered, they danced, twirled, waved and giggled. They gathered at the windows and stood on tiptoes to peer in. They seemed to want to come inside and then some women guarding the door wouldn’t allow it. I was a little put off by that.
Next thing I know I had my Bible open to Matthew 18:2-5, “He called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said, “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of Heaven. And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me. “
I felt the Lord prompting me to preach on this, to ask the worship team to play another song and invite the children in. To invite the street children in to dance on the stage, to dance in the aisles, to feel the unfailing love of Jesus, that says you are deeply loved, this is my house and you are welcome and accepted no matter your circumstance.
I said, “Um, excuse me Lord, this is kind of inset onamonipia here, well you know a little blunt, maybe controversial to preach on right now.” I really felt prompted by the Spirit to go in this direction. I was sitting in my chair trying to organize my thoughts and fighting what I felt like I should say.
They introduced me and I took the stage. I asked the Spirit to lead me, I wanted to make sure this came out bold, but loving. I talked about all the stuff above and then I challenged the congregation to really be the body, to get out of their chair and comfort zone and bring the children in, to be the hands and feet of Jesus. But I was told because of time, bringing the children in would have to wait until later.
Later never came…
Another group got up to sing and worship, so our team got up and went outside. We jumped, jived, and jiggled. We held kids, we kissed kids, we laughed with kids, and we prayed over kids and their futures. We danced and danced. It was probably the best time of the night. The air was cool, the sky was dark, and stars twinkled above.
This is it folks, this is what it’s all about. Listening to the Spirit and following his lead. Church wasn't worshipping inside, it wasn't testimonies, but it was action. Church was outside tonight. It was Jesus in the flesh, calling out, "Brothers and sisters, there is a place for you in my fathers house, come and be well."
If we can’t love little children well whom can we love?
