THERE’S ONE IN EVERY CHURCH
BY CHARLES LOWERY
There’s at least one in every church. When we see them, we think of that little “Family of God,, chorus and sing, “I’m surprised you’re a part of the family of God.”
God made them fearfully and wonderfully weird. They have the amazing ability to suck the joy right out of ministry. They’re a few french fries short of a Happy Meal. . . missing a few buttons on the remote. You know what I mean. The porch light’s on but no one’s home.
They even look funny. From clothing to hairstyles, they’re just a little bit off. There’s always something rumpled, mismatched, or unkempt. And they seem so inappropriate at times-stand when they’re supposed to be sitting or talking when they’re supposed to be quiet. They aren’t cool, quick, or articulate like us. They aren’t the sharpest knives in the drawer.
They wait until everyone is gone, never giving up, because they want to talk to you. They probably want to hug you. And there’s always one who zeros in on you; you’re their hero, their idol, and the person they want to spend as much time with as possible.
They wait after every service to tell you things you already know. Don’t they remember they’ve already told you twice?
You’re irritated by them, and you mumble under your breath when you see them coming. You devise ways of avoiding them. If they come down the center, you head for the right side. You develop plays to get around them, even find blockers to make sure your plays work.
Let’s be honest–sometimes you’re just rude. You blow them off because your time is too valuable. You know they’re hurt, but you do it anyway. You say something that cuts them off or you embarrass them with your quick wit, freeing yourself to do what important people like you do.
A friend of mine told me about a man named Bob who drove him crazy. My friend grumbled about Bob under his breath and God listened. That night everything changed because God spoke to him as clearly as he’d ever spoken to him before. God said, “You know that person Bob who’s a little slow and never quite gets things right? The one you avoid at all costs? Well, I want you to remember something. Compared to me, you aren’t the sharpest knife in the drawer either. And you don’t get things quite right most of the time. So next time Bob starts to bug you, remember this: You’re my Bob.”
Charles Lowery is a pastor in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
THE ABOVE MATERIAL WAS PUBLISHED BY VITAL MINISTRY, JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1999, PAGE 78. THIS MATERIAL IS COPYRIGHTED AND MAY BE USED FOR STUDY & RESEARCH PURPOSES ONLY.
