Saturday, April 2, 2011

You took my parking space at church

In every church in every corner of the world there are individuals who have “staked” their place and their seat among the gathering family of God … and Lord, help the individual who “takes” their place. In my Jacksonville church one couple even went so far as to purchase their own hymnal engraved with their names, made some back cushions again with their names on them and two little footrests with their names. If anyone sat in their seats – visitor or member – they would simply declare out loud, “Well, we cannot worship today because someone is sitting in our seats!” They were an extreme case I know, but every church has their own set of peculiar apples in the bushel.

As we prepare for worship tomorrow here is something to think about. Do we have a place that we consider “ours”? Do we sit in the same seat every time? Do we only talk with the same people every Sunday? Are there individuals that we do not know and do not take the time to get to know? If a visitor came into our church would we recognize them as a visitor? Do our neighbors even know that we attend church? Do they know in whom we believe? Do they know that we follow a risen Savior?

YOU TOOK MY PARKING SPACE AT CHURCH

One day, a man went to visit a church, He got there early, parked his car and got out. Another car pulled up near the driver got out and said, "I always park there! You took my place!"

The visitor went inside for Sunday school, found an empty seat and sat down. A young lady from the church approached him and stated, "That's my seat! You took my place!"

The visitor was somewhat distressed by this rude welcome, but said nothing. After Sunday school, the visitor went into the sanctuary and sat down. Another member walked up to him and said, "That's where I always sit! You took my place!"

The visitor was even more troubled by this treatment, but still He said nothing. Later as the congregation was praying for Christ to dwell among them, the visitor stood up, and his appearance began to change. Horrible scars became visible on his hands and on his sandaled feet. Someone from the congregation noticed him and called out, "What happened to you?"

The visitor replied, as his hat became a crown of thorns, and a tear fell from his eye, "I took your place."

Quote for today: Lord, please keep your Arm around my shoulder, and your hand over my mouth. ~Source unknown

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