Convicting.
In that space between deep sleep and wakefulness, I was shown a room. Such a room it was too; with richly colored walls, and a huge fireplace, roaring with light and warmth. There were many soft lights, and tables with food and drink. The floors were soft, thick carpet, and there were many comfortable, plush chairs scattered throughout the large space. People weren't sitting on the chairs though....they were standing in groups, laughing and talking. They were dressed nicely, their features were animated with laughter and mirth...they were clearly having a good time.
Against the far wall were a row of palladian windows, that showed the world outside to be a dark night, with an icy rain coming down. A big contrast to the warmth of the huge hall, with its fire, food and geniality.
At the far window, on the outside, stood a forlorn, emaciated youth. With dark, longing eyes, tattered clothing and a shivering frame. He stood with one hand on the window, gazing as much at the camaraderie as at the tables laden with food.
A man, the servant..the acting host?, it was unclear, was rushing over to the window...to close the drapes so that the guests would not be unsettled by the sight of the youth. Who was to be left outside in the rain.
In this half wakeful state, as my eyes and heart took all of this in, a voice said to me in the dream, "Child, why are so many of my churches like this?"
And I awoke fully, feeling shamed.
For how often, in our comfortable lives, do we not look outside of ourselves to see the loneliness and want all around us? How often do our churches operate as social clubs, where we discuss theology and politics and the newest youth group production? Where we gather up some money and a little bit of food and have them handed out to the poor outside our doors, feeling smugly confident that we have done enough?
Why haven't we brought the poor inside our doors, into our company and fellowship? Not just the literal poor, but the lonely, the broken, the outsider? How many homeless people do you know by name? How many disenfranchised youth do you know and care about? How many single mothers or single fathers who are struggling to get by? How many gay people who just want to know that God cares and that YOU care?
How many people are we keeping outside our fellowship because they don't fit in? And why are we drawing the curtains instead of throwing the doors wide open?
Lord, there have been times I have not been loving and welcoming enough to those you put in my path. There have been times I have closed my eyes to need, both the physical and also the spiritual and emotional. Please forgive me. Help me to see with renewed eyes and compassion all of those who hunger for the warmth of fellowship and the love of Christ. Help me never to close the curtains of my soul to another,
In the name of He who loved me first, I pray,
Amen.
May you be open to sharing fellowship with those who need it. May you be blessed this day, and always, and may you be a blessing to someone else,
-Beth Haynes Butler
In that space between deep sleep and wakefulness, I was shown a room. Such a room it was too; with richly colored walls, and a huge fireplace, roaring with light and warmth. There were many soft lights, and tables with food and drink. The floors were soft, thick carpet, and there were many comfortable, plush chairs scattered throughout the large space. People weren't sitting on the chairs though....they were standing in groups, laughing and talking. They were dressed nicely, their features were animated with laughter and mirth...they were clearly having a good time.
Against the far wall were a row of palladian windows, that showed the world outside to be a dark night, with an icy rain coming down. A big contrast to the warmth of the huge hall, with its fire, food and geniality.
At the far window, on the outside, stood a forlorn, emaciated youth. With dark, longing eyes, tattered clothing and a shivering frame. He stood with one hand on the window, gazing as much at the camaraderie as at the tables laden with food.
A man, the servant..the acting host?, it was unclear, was rushing over to the window...to close the drapes so that the guests would not be unsettled by the sight of the youth. Who was to be left outside in the rain.
In this half wakeful state, as my eyes and heart took all of this in, a voice said to me in the dream, "Child, why are so many of my churches like this?"
And I awoke fully, feeling shamed.
For how often, in our comfortable lives, do we not look outside of ourselves to see the loneliness and want all around us? How often do our churches operate as social clubs, where we discuss theology and politics and the newest youth group production? Where we gather up some money and a little bit of food and have them handed out to the poor outside our doors, feeling smugly confident that we have done enough?
Why haven't we brought the poor inside our doors, into our company and fellowship? Not just the literal poor, but the lonely, the broken, the outsider? How many homeless people do you know by name? How many disenfranchised youth do you know and care about? How many single mothers or single fathers who are struggling to get by? How many gay people who just want to know that God cares and that YOU care?
How many people are we keeping outside our fellowship because they don't fit in? And why are we drawing the curtains instead of throwing the doors wide open?
Lord, there have been times I have not been loving and welcoming enough to those you put in my path. There have been times I have closed my eyes to need, both the physical and also the spiritual and emotional. Please forgive me. Help me to see with renewed eyes and compassion all of those who hunger for the warmth of fellowship and the love of Christ. Help me never to close the curtains of my soul to another,
In the name of He who loved me first, I pray,
Amen.
May you be open to sharing fellowship with those who need it. May you be blessed this day, and always, and may you be a blessing to someone else,
-Beth Haynes Butler
No comments:
Post a Comment