Thursday night my past and my present collided and I’m still trying to wrap my brain around it.
As I stood next to my husband in conversation with others, I almost lost it. Hysterical laughter was pushing its way out and I had to do everything in my power to push it back.
Le me set the stage. Adam and I had been on our 13th Anniversary ‘stay-cation’ and decided to end our evening at a craft-beer establishment. We weren’t sure what we’d find – a coffee-shop like atmosphere or a seedy bar. We walked through the door and to my pleasant surprise there were picnic tables, board games, and shuffle board. None of which screamed ‘Run for the Hills!’.
We looked to our right, and who should we see but our very own Pastor of Community Connection and a local church planter. As we shook hands and introductions were made, my mind was reeling. Our pastor even introduced us to one of the employees and said that he’d visited our church the prior Sunday.
Lord, how do I reconcile all this?
First, how do I reconcile a pastor being in a craft-beer joint? Which leads me to the second question, is it okay for us to be there?
But if it’s not okay for him, why is it okay for us?
And now you’ve peeked at the paradox that my brain has been stuck in and it isn’t very pretty.
Now I’m wondering if this is what the Pharisees sounded like when they bad-mouthed Jesus for associating with tax collectors and sinners.
Whose side would I have been standing on?
My mind goes back to the employee that our pastor introduced us to. Who would have invited him to church if he hadn’t gone there?
Now, I’m not saying we should all run down to the nearest dance club or pick-up bar to witness. I’m not even saying that we shouldn’t. We need to use discernment as to where we go. But for all practical purposes, we couldn’t find anything wrong with that establishment.
What I am saying is, my husband and I would never have met Matt had we not gone there and been introduced to him by our Pastor.
I’m 35, been raised in church, and am still such a novice when it comes to reaching the lost.
Reaching the lost isn’t about supporting missionaries, going ‘door-knocking’ or having a bus ministry.
Slowly, God is teaching me that it’s about loving those around you and sharing the Gospel on a daily basis wherever you are.