9.12.23
Hey, Calvary Fremont –
The pastor was new in town and had only preached three times at the church. He and his wife had bought a home because they planned to stay a long time. The new pastor had an appointment downtown and when that was over he decided to go into the big furniture store on Main Street. Some of the furniture was in the big display window that fronted the store and could be seen by those on the sidewalk. There was a walkway from the floor up into the display window and so he decided to check out the couches and chairs in the display window. He looked out the window and saw a family from his new church on the sidewalk and so he knocked on the window to draw their attention and waved HI when they looked. And then his heart sank.
The family looked into the display window, and they all had a look of disgust on their faces. They looked at one another, said a few words, and then walked away shaking their heads. The pastor felt a jolt of panic shoot through his body and shock his mind. He thought, “Oh, no – these people hate me. They looked at me with such disgust and disdain.” Fear laid hold of his heart. This was a prominent family in the church and if they were not pleased with him, it was probably certain that many others would be influenced by them. He began to think that his ministry was over even before it had really begun. He had to figure out how he would tell his wife that they would have to sell their new home and move away because, no doubt, the denomination would give them another assignment.
Burdened with a growing since of foreboding, the pastor exited the store and walked in front of the display window. He looked into the window where he had been and couldn’t see a thing. The sun was at such an angle that prevented anyone from seeing in because of the blinding glare. And in a second of time, the pastor realized what had happened. When he knocked on the display glass window to get the attention of the family, they looked, but the glare of the sun off the window caused them to scowl. They had looked at one another and asked if anyone saw or heard anything. They all shook their heads and kept walking. They hadn’t even seen him! He went on his way rejoicing knowing that his ministry in that town was just getting started. He determined from that moment on not to allow any perceived rejection to cause him to jump to any hasty conclusion. He decided that he would have to receive the same message three times before he took it seriously.
How easy it is to jump to a conclusion based upon a perceived criticism or rejection. A sour look, a greeting that is not returned, someone walking out during a sermon is sometimes enough to throw us into a tailspin. When the pastor was inside the display glass window, he allowed his subjective feelings to get the better of him. But once he got an objective view from outside the display glass window, he was able to judge more accurately. From the inside out, things look one way. From the outside in, things take on a different perspective altogether.
Dear Brothers and Sisters, it is so simple to take something someone does and get offended by it. From the inside out, we feel judged and condemned. Yet from the outside in, it was never meant that way. A sour look can be gas pain! A greeting not returned can be someone who is preoccupied with something else. Someone getting up and walking out of a sermon can be a potty break or a coughing fit or them having to go to work before church is over.
Jesus said, “Judge not, lest you be judged.” I say, “Don’t allow yourself to be judged, lest you totally misunderstand what’s happening.” How many times have you spoken to someone who has offended you and they say, “I never meant it like that at all. Here’s what I meant…” And what they say makes perfect sense! And you feel like such a fool for thinking bad of them and for stewing about something that was only in your mind, not theirs. Life inside the display glass window is sure to leave you bruised and bloodied. Life outside the display glass window helps to put things in perspective. So, go forth and be offended no more! If you are offended by someone, give them three times to make the point, and then deal with it. You have permission to not be offended.
Be blessed and stay healthy and follow Jesus – Pastor Tim
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