Looks Can Be Deceiving
The other day, while looking for something else, I came across some notes I’d taken in church, when I first met Pastor Jerry in 1998. I was a new mom with a 9-month-old baby. I was a new Christian too, as I felt led to give my life to Christ after having Travis dedicated, so I was in search of a church. I guess you could say Pastor left an impression on me, being that I still remember the title of the 1st sermon I heard him preach, “God Bent My Baby.” (A message about the gifts and purpose (bents) God instills in all His children; and as parents, it’s our job to guide them towards their “bent” without breaking their spirit.)
Pastor has said for years, “when you find your pastor, you’ve found your church.” This could not have been more true in my case. Let me tell you why. At the time I met him, Pastor Jerry was preaching in a building that I now refer to as “the asbestos barn.” The musty-smelling building had exposed blown insulation on the ceiling and an uneven Astroturf covered floor. It certainly wasn’t your “typical” church. Sure, I was a little leery at first, but I sure am glad I didn’t turn around and walk out.
The problem we have today is our idea of “typical” has gotten blown way out of proportion. We see Taj Mahal schools and churches being built all over the place. The schools have Starbucks, ATM’s, lounges, and other amenities for the kids, while the mega churches have jumbotron viewing for a satellite preacher two counties over. Bigger and better atmosphere doesn’t guarantee better teaching or preaching, sometimes, it only caters to your creature comforts, which don’t interest God in the slightest. God isn’t concerned with your comfort, only your character.
If I had left based on what I saw, I would have never been moved by what I heard. Our desire to be in church should be based on the quality of the message, not how beautiful the church is, how many types of coffee they serve or how big the televisions are. I have a friend from India who tells of how his people walk for miles to hear the forbidden Word of God. To them, their hunger for hope supersedes the dangers of being persecuted. Our need for creature comforts has unfortunately superseded our hunger for the simplicity of the Gospel truth.
Back in the day, people would curiously ask, “you go to THAT church?” Whether it was the unusual environment or the new up-and-coming charismatic preacher who’d come to town, people seemed intrigued and critical at the same time. It kind of became a standing joke…I think we even had shirts made that said, “I go to THAT church.” Since then, I’ve listened to Pastor Jerry in an open pavilion, swatting off horseflies, in a school, and even a funeral home. Looks can be deceiving; what you see may not be all you get. In this day and age, we need all the truth we can get…seek it out. The place you least expect it may just be the place you find it.