MONDAY, APRIL 27, 2009
Hebrews 10:23-25
23Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) 24And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
The other day while standing in line at Wal-Mart God sent me a message through three cashiers. I was in line waiting to pay for my order and observed them engaged in a casual conversation. Cashier A invited Cashiers B and C out to a comedy club on a Sunday evening. This is what they said…
Cashier A: “Hey, I have some passes to a Comedy Club on Sunday evening do you all want to join me?”
Cashier B: “I am off that day!”
Cashier C: “Oh I can’t go… You guys will be drinking.”
Cashier B: “You do not have to drink! We will not be drinking.”
Cashier A: “You can’t drink anyway! You’re pregnant.”
Cashier C: “I don’t want to be bothered by a bunch of crazy men anyway.”
Cashier B: “This is a girl’s night out.”
Cashier C: “I have nothing to wear.”
Cashier A: “I’ll get you a new top.”
Cashier C: “I have to work that day, I do not get off until 7.”
Cashier A: “Perfect it starts at 8.”
Cashier C: “I do not have transportation.”
Cashier A: “I’ll pick you up from here.”
Cashier C: “I do not have a baby sitter for my kids.”
Cashier B: “I’ll hook you up! You can use my baby sitter.”
Cashier C: “I do not know. I would need to change.”
Cashier A: “I am getting you a new top, just clean up and change at my house.”
Cashier B: “You need some time to yourself come on girl, go!”
Cashier C: “I don’t know!”
Cashier A: “You need this come on and go.”
Cashier B: “Girl come on go, I got you!”
Cashier C: “O.K. I will go.”
As I approached Cashier B to pay for my groceries, the spirit of the Lord moved me to comment: “If church folk worked as hard to get people to come to church, as your friend did to get her to go out Sunday, all the churches would be full every Sunday and not just on holidays.” We all agreed. I went on to explain that I was not condemning or criticizing their conversation but as I was considering my ways and looking at what effort I put into getting folk to come to church. Normally, I would ask and when given an excuse, I would just accept it and move on.
Nonetheless, these young ladies showed me that it takes an effort on my part to get someone to come to church that may not be inclined to do so. They inspired me not to accept excuses and offer alternatives. When someone I invite says “I cannot come to church because I do not have a ride.” Then I should offer to pick them up. When someone I invite says “I cannot come to church because I do not have anything to wear.” Then I should offer them outfit. When someone I invite says, “I cannot come to church because I do not wait to be around a bunch of crazy church folk.” Then, I should offer to sit with them. When someone I invite says “I cannot come to church because I have to work on Sundays.” Then I should offer alternative services (Bible Study, Mid-Week Service, or a Sunday Evening Service). When someone I invite says, “I cannot come to church because I need someone to watch my kids” Then I should offer to watch their kids. People do not have to change what they are doing to come to the house of the Lord. They should come as they are and allow God to change them from the inside out.
People are in need of something greater than what they can ever gain from the world, yet we as so called Christians back down and accept excuses from our family and friends when it comes to them coming out and getting a word. Well, God used these young ladies to inspired me to do more evangelizing and to work harder on getting folk to go to church! Oh yes, I invited them all to church! Now who are you going to invite? Have a blessed week! In Jesus' name, AMEN!
By: Elder Michael L. Hargett
Associate Minister
Peace of God Outreach Ministries
Pastors and Overseers Drs. Gary and Patricia Stern
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