Another car pulled up near him, and the driver told him,
"I always park there.
You took my place!"
The visitor went inside for Sunday School, found an empty seat, and sat down. A young lady from the church approached him and stated,
"That's my seat!
You took my place!"
The visitor was somewhat distressed by this rude welcome, but said nothing.
After Sunday School, the visitor went into the church assembly and sat down. Another member walked up to him and said,
"That's where I always sit.
You took my place!"
The visitor was even more troubled by this treatment, but still said nothing.
Later, as the congregation was praying for Christ to dwell among them, the visitor stood, and his appearance began to change. Horrible scars became visible on his hands and on his sandaled feet.
With the changes becoming more and more apparent to all in the church. Someone from the congregation called out,
"What happened to you?"
The visitor replied,
"I took your place."
Love it! I really appreciate how we have gotten to handle this. We do not refer to this worshipper as a "visitor" but rather a "guest". When you treat people as guests you treat them differently, as in you may see them again, rather than visitors which you may never see again. And isn't that the point ... to see each other again! Maybe in this building maybe in the grocery store maybe with our Heavenly Father. Let's treat each as if we WILL see each other again!
ReplyDeleteAmen Bill.
ReplyDelete