Well yesterday seemed to bring a little of everything. I was up early, not sleeping so well, as I thought about the sermon I would deliver and headed off for the church (about 50 yards away) shortly after 7. Clouds were building in and it looked like rain might be coming. I survived the short journey with nary a rain drop.
Once inside, the clouds began to billow and by 8 AM just 30 minutes before the service was to begin they opened up with a big windy, lightning filled downpour. My first weekend I noticed that shortly after 8 a bustling friendly crowd would have arrived, chatting and visiting with each other. On this day only 4 or 5 folks were present at 8:15. I joked with some of the volunteers that Satan didn't wan't the message I had to give preached...but I was gonna preach it anyway. By 8:30 fifty or so people had braved the storm, many staying home but checking in.
We talked about taking risks, about not just walking up to the edge of Christianity, but jumping in and being fully immersed! We talked about embracing the community in "the shadow of our steeple" as my good friend Jim Blue likes to say. Not just feeding them or giving away free things, but embracing them as our family, inviting them into our inner circle.
Later that day the clouds cleared and nearly 40 people showed up for an ice cream social that was thrown to kick-off VBS week at OSUMC. It was such a contrast to the early morning hours..there was no pressure, no concerns...just folks enjoying each other's company and basking in the potential of neighbor kids learning about the Christ over the next week.
It's too bad ice cream wasn't around during Jesus' ministry...I think He would have enjoyed the vanilla...and the prospect of what it brought...just a thought.
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I think you will find the folks there at OSUMC a group of wonderfully dedicated and compassonate disciples. blessings to you as you build your relationships with them. I know i will always have a special place in my heart for them.
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