Hey, Calvary Fremont –
After a long struggle with cancer, Sam’s wife of 35 years finally lost the battle and died. Sam and his three grown children found comfort in one another, but family love wasn’t strong enough to quench the sorrow of his heart, fill the void in his soul, or satisfy the question marks in his mind. And so, Sam decided to go to church.
Now Sam wasn’t a total neophyte when it came to church attendance – he had attended services with his parents when he was young. And it’s not that he didn’t believe – it just had no relevance for him. He was never against church or the Bible or Christians – he just didn’t see how they fit into his life. Some of the teachings must have sunk in though, because he was a faithful husband and an involved dad, a good friend, and a responsible member of society. But now, these things weren’t enough and so Sam is off to church.
First stop, The First Church of Cultural Relevance. In this fine building among these excited people, Sam heard that it is the Christian’s duty to wear a mask and get vaccinated – this is how we love our neighbor. It’s not what Sam expected to hear at church, but OK, he thought, I guess the church has to keep up with the times. He left with a sorrowing heart, an uncomforted soul, and with the question marks still in his mind.
Second stop, The First Church of What’s Happening Now. In this fine building among these excited people, Sam heard how it’s the Christian’s duty to see through the lies of the experts and resist the mandates of government overreach. It’s the call of the Church to speak truth to power – this is how we love our neighbor. It’s not what Sam expected to hear at church, but OK, he thought, I guess the church has to keep up with the times. He left with a sorrowing heart, an uncomforted soul, and with the question marks still in his mind.
Next stop, The First Church of Social Justice. In this fine building among these fine people, he heard how the Church has failed minorities, ignored the marginalized, and neglected the poor. It’s the Christian’s duty to right the wrongs of our society – this is how we love our neighbor. It’s not what Sam expected to hear at church, but OK, he thought, I guess the church has to keep up with the times. He left with a sorrowing heart, an uncomforted soul, and with the question marks still in his mind.
Sam longed to hear something eternal; he ached to quench the thirsting of his soul. He never heard of the God who could comfort him in his sorrow, fill the void in his soul, and address the question marks in his mind. All he heard was a religious version of the nightly news.
The next week Sam stayed home.
Be blessed and stay healthy and follow Jesus – Pastor Tim
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