The young man was standing like a statue on the shoulder of a busy four lane highway. He appeared fixated on something at a church next to the road.
Driving closer, I saw the skateboard. “Oh, I bet he’s looking for a good parking lot to ride.”
But he took off –kicking his way down the emergency lane of a major thoroughfare.
When I passed him I noticed: no helmet, no pads and no reflective clothing. The cherry on top was a huge pair of headphones over his ears.
The kid was flirting with disaster.
How many people do we happen upon daily who are, at least spiritually speaking, skateboarding next to a highway? No helmet of salvation, no shield of faith (elbow and knee pads) and no reflective clothing (belt of truth). – Ephesians 6:13-17 (NIV)
They stop and stare at churches, while huge headphones blast their favorite tunes.
What are they thinking?
“Is someone like me welcome here? Oh, there’s an “Absolutely No Skateboarding!” sign. I’d better keep kickin’ down the highway.”
In full disclosure, I saw no sign that said not to skateboard at the church. But such things have happened. God’s people could (and should) have a greater positive impact on the world.
But how?
A good first step is to offer a place where people who are flirting with disaster feel welcomed. Somehow we must convince folks that the church is safer than the shoulder of the highway. The power of the gospel can do this–prompt a person to leave the four lane for the narrow path.
But we must be the hands and feet of Christ; and this involves a willingness to get these hands and feet dirty.
“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.
Jesus – Matthew 5:14 (NIV)
Do you know how I feel right now, and will feel until Christ’s life becomes visible in your lives? Like a mother in the pain of childbirth.
Paul – Galatians 4:19 (MSG)
Photo by Marc Kleen on Unsplash
Davids Daily Dose 
Comments
22 responses to “Skateboarders Welcome”
Thanks 🙏
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Thank you. I am grateful for your kind words. May God bless you and your family as well.
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God’s words & love flows generously through you my friend. We all needed to read this today. So much hate, unwelcoming, unacceptable around us. We forget that God came to save the sinners & the oppressed. He is selfless that he gave up his own life so people could live. The world of man is changing so fast, but may we change more human and Christ-like. God bless you & your family.
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You’re most welcome, and I’m excited to read more of your posts, truly 🙂
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Thank you, Zelda Rene. I appreciate you reading, commenting AND following my little blog. I will tap on over and check yours out right now! Blessings.
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This is so good! I found you through another blogger and will Follow now 🙂 Like another person said above, I don’t have headphones on–got to hear every word the Lord speaks–even if I have to pause and ask Him to repeat it and clarify (sometimes I don’t “get it” the first time 🙂 ). May He bless you abundantly this week!
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Me too! Thanks.
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I’ve taken my headphones off a long time ago, I want to hear absolutely everything Jesus has to say to me!
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It’s too easy to forget , that even when reconciled with God. we are still sinners. In reality, we are simply beggars telling others where to find bread.
Thank you for stopping by today, Jeff.
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I like the analogy! We too often make ourselves – and therefore God – unapproachable by being hostile toward bad behavior. Rather, we should talk to them and get to know them, My pastor has a son who is also a pastor. He regularly visits the local gay bar to develop friendships with the patrons so he can have real conversations with them.
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I’m glad you made that call, Sally. And I’m glad the pastor took down the sign.
Most don’t expect the church to be perfect, just authentic. They will know we are Christians by our love.
Thank you for visiting my blog today!🙏😀
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I appreciate your comment, brother. Your thoughts were exactly what I hoped to convey. We must be ready and willing to welcome all into God’s fold. Blessings.
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Thanks, Barb. This one happened right in front of me. I wasn’t sure what it meant at the time. But, after I thought about it, out came this post.
I appreciate your thoughts.
Blessings
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Amen, brother. I read your post the other day on this same subject, and then saw the young man the next morning. Tag, you’re it!
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This post made me stop and think, the people who need the gospel cover a wide section of society, many of whom are the unlovely types of the world. How often do we read about our Lord in the gospels keeping company with the outcasts, we are also called to such service. Sharing the gospel may cost us some dignity or comfort, but then the value of a soul was shown by our Lord at Calvary.
A very thoughtful post David, thank you brother.
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You always pick the best illustrations.
I struggle with that some sometimes.
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“Somehow we must convince folks that the church is safer than the shoulder of the highway.” This is my favorite part. How do we convince them after decades of telling them one thing and showing them another? We can’t act like an exclusive country club. We must go to the highways and hedges and compel them to come in (Luke 14:23). We can’t stay in the church waiting for them to come to us. We must be the Church and go to them. Thanks for the reminder.
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Thanks, David, this is a great analogy.
A few years ago, a church in our Parish posted a sign outside that said ‘No Trespassing’.
I called the pastor and said that this sign appeared to contradict the goals of evangelization.
He explained that it was to warn four-wheelers to stay off the property, for insurance purposes.
But he agreed, the message was confusing. He removed the sign. 🤗
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I appreciate your comment, Manu. This was what I wanted to say. I’m glad it came through. Blessings.
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Such an important reminder to be welcoming and accepting to all, especially those that do not fit into ‘ a church goers’ mold.
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Yes, spirituality is certainly in vogue these days. It seems harder and harder for the REAL gospel to get through.
Kudos to you for helping build the half pipe. I understand the concerns with insurance.
Thanks for stopping by this morning, Gary. Blessings.
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not long ago a young man cornered me to talk. He said “I’ve been looking my whole life for a peace inside that I see you and John have. I know it has to do with God. I don’t want Christianity. I don’t want church. I want what you have with God.
This is the challenge for we, the church, in reaching out to the skate boarders bypassing our world with the power of the gospel (what he was seeking) to save and change hearts.
I once helped a skate boarder build a giant half pipe in his back yard to reach his skateboard friends. The church wouldn’t let him do it on their grounds (insurance nightmare).
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