11/24/2022
Take a few moments to read this! I promise you that you will not be sorry!
His name is Bill. He has wild hair, wears a T-shirt with holes in it, jeans and flip flops. This was literally his wardrobe for his four years of high school. He is brilliant. Kinda odd in his worldview and perspective, but he is very, very bright. He became a Christian during his junior year of high school when a fellow student shared her faith with him.
Across the street from the high school campus is a modern, conservative and active church. They work hard to develop ministries to the students, but that process is constantly changing and a challenge. One Sunday Bill decides to go visit the church. He walks in with no shoes, jeans, his T-shirt and wild hair. The service has just started so Bill starts down an aisle looking for a seat. The church is pretty full, and Bill doesn't want to invade anyone's territory. As he makes his way up the aisle, people are looking a bit uncomfortable, but no one says anything. Bill gets closer and closer to the front, and rather than bother anyone he just squats down on the carpet in front of the first row of chairs and makes himself comfortable.
Because this is so out of the norm, people who see Bill sitting up front on the floor become uncomfortable. About the time Bill gets settled in, the Pastor realizes that one of the Deacons who is sitting toward the back of the auditorium has gotten up from his seat and is making his way toward the front, and specifically toward Bill. He's a godly man, very dignified and respected, wearing a suit and tie as he walks with his cane, his silver hair neatly combed and his Bible under his arm. You can't blame him for what he is about to do. How can you expect a man of his age and of his background to understand some barefoot teenage kid with long hair, blue jeans and a T-shirt who has walked in and thinks it is somehow acceptable to just sit on the floor in front of everyone?
It takes what seems like a long time for the Deacon to reach the front where Bill is seated. The church is completely silent except for the whispers in the congregation. All eyes are focused on the front. Everyone is glad this one senior adult Deacon has taken matters into his own hands. Even the Pastor is frozen in the moment with mixed emotions and thoughts running through his mind and heart.
Then suddenly God showed up. When this elderly Deacon gets to where Bill is seated, he every slowly and carefully kneels down beside Bill, then lays his cane and his Bible on the floor and sits down - to worship beside Bill so he won't be sitting alone. Everyone chokes up with emotion. The Deacon doesn't say a word, he just gently reaches out his hand to shake Bill's. In that moment, although nothing is said, much is communicated.
When the Pastor is able to speak, he simply says, "What I am about to preach, you will never remember. What you have just seen, you will never forget."
I first heard that story on March 19, 1998. More than 21 1/2 years later it still moves me deeply. It paints a powerful picture of love, acceptance and grace. In that story we are reminded of two important truths:
1. Church is not about us.
2. The message of the gospel is one of acceptance.
You can write your own ending. But sometimes the beginning can be so powerful it changes the middle and the end. Perhaps there is a "Bill" in your life. Do they know that you care deeply about them just like they are? Or do they somehow feel as if they have to live up to some seemingly impossible standard in order to find real acceptance?
Sunday morning will be a great morning of worship. I will be sharing what, for me, is a very personal message about what I believe God desires to do in our lives individually and in our church corporately over the next 5 years. It's a simple message, but one which I believe you will find helpful and challenging as we continue to work to reach the next generation. I'd feel honored if you would invite Bill. Don't make his sit on the floor . . . unless he's simply more comfortable there!
Pastor Greg
