the games people play

we are fairly new to this area. we feel at home now, love the church we attend, and are settling into our smaller than before home.

when we first arrived, we met a couple that seemed a bit older than we are, if not in age, at least in actions. we had conversations about Harley's, he has one, so do i. talked about riding, talked about the country side. conversation led to church. their church was having a yard sale, if we wanted to get rid of our stuff...we were just moving in..

we were invited to join them in worship. they even came by to ask. told them we were checking out a certain church but we would love to worship with them.

after attending our current place of worship we believed God wanted us there to offer what gifts we have to help them. very clear.

the next conversation we had with this couple went a bit weird. "sorry we did not make it to your church, but we believe God wants us to serve here." told them where, they looked at each other smiled...kinda, then went on.

we see them now, and it is awkward.

funny. when we were possible church attenders with them, the conversation was enjoyable. now, just hello, and a smile.

i got to thinking about how we are as Christians. arrogant, judgemental and not kingdom minded.

we have relegated our worship experience to personal attendance with our group, our friends and our likes. taking nothing into account of kingdom perspective. if you are not like us, we really don't have much to say.

the interesting thing is this couple, Christians, never invited us to their home, never responded to our invitation to have a meal together, enjoy some fellowship as believers. it was like it became territorial.

sad really.

as God continues to make me into the image of His son, i see a wider angle, more peripheral vision, more clarity.

what if we missed the point all together when it comes to church?
what if our baggage determines our actions and we cant see the bags?
what if who we are is not different than who we were?
what if someone moves in upstairs and the creaking from the floor drives me crazy?
what if we just loved people first, then asked them about church later?
what if we just befriended people because it is what Jesus did, with no agenda for church?
what if they saw us, heard us first, knew we were different and out of that came church?
what if i got a dog and realized i was not ready for such a commitment?
what if we all just loved God and loved others?
what if we actually acted on all we believed?
what if we just stop playing games?

thoughts from a primal bohemian.