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
