After a while I started to realize their effort to please was somewhat disconcerting. They continually asked me, What do you want? How many inches of exposed foundation? How many drains? Do you like this drainage system?
As they peppered me with these questions I realized that in some areas of life a high premium on customer service can be problematic. After all, I'm not the expert; they should be telling me this is what we believe will work.
This little lesson applies to the church. The church should not be gripped by the foolish dream of trying to make our "customers" happy. No doubt, we should be hospitable and loving. But should we strive to please? I don't think so.
The church is called to proclaim the truth about God. We don't have the luxury to discern what perceived needs need to be met to keep people happy. Instead we must learn to situate ourselves in the story of God's revelation through Israel and Israel's messiah.
Of course this is no excuse for arrogance or for a refusal to listen. But when it comes down to it, the gospel defines the need as well as the answer. So the question remains, Will we allow our lives to be re-narrated by the story of sin and redemption?
Peace.
2 comments:
Amen brother David! Learning to mirror and marry our lives and our vision to God's narration (His Word). The faithful revelation (Gospel) of His knowledge and Glory for the benefit of all mankind (His Creation).
Today we are witnesses of the fierce competition (battle) among social, political, economic, religious,national groups to gain the upper hand and be the dominant viewpoint (narrative) within the body politic.
The product of news media and intertainment today reveals more about agendas, propaganda dissemination, and spin to achieve planned results rather than raw news with no commentary.
Your point, David, about situating ourselves within the story, the narrative, The Gospel of Life requires a purposful action on the hearers part.
That is to be an active hearer. To be looking at the evidence, to seek the face of the Narrative, of "The Good News" from the perspective of knowledge rather than emotion. To adequately gain that knowlege to overcome emotion and receive a blessing requires one to seize on God as we know Him. Yes, even (to wrestle) and call on (prayer for a blessing). In other words engaging in active interactive discourse with God's Narrative on a personal face to face level . Job being our example.
So, let's wrestle to gain the blessing (gift) that He has for each person!
Your point brother David "the gospel defines the need as well as the answer", speeks to the issues of the human condition, and the solution to that condition.
Recently, we have experienced the so called Occupy movement take to the streets with a plethora of demands and petitions to address and satisfy real, perceived, or contrived needs from whomever they think is responsable for "denying" them from "getting their due".
Without getting into specific details, the KEY elements that differs from the so called Occupy Movement vs. Christian Movement are: Attitude, Hope, Long Suffering, Trust, Goodwill, Patience to name a few.
Christians know that GOD IS and He is Sovereign ofver all His Creation. God Sees all things and comforts and interceds with his mercy, kindness, goodness, and He is the giver of abundant life. Providing in surprising ways those who call, cry out, petition, and pray for all things great and small.
The KEY to knowing this LIVING LORD OF HOSTS, THE KING OF GLORY, GOD ALMIGHTY is to be activly engaged with HIS NARRATIVE Who is The Written Word of God, Who is The Word became flesh and dewlt among us. The sinless spotless Lamb of God Who died for sinners lost, Who arose victorious over Death redeeming those who Hope in Him, Who now interceeds as our high prist and comforter until He comes in his time for His Own.
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