Poor in Spirit

I walk up to the church, being looked at out of the corner of their eyes. As my eyes meet theirs they smile in that Christian manner and turn back to their conversations. We file into the church and, for the most part, everyone goes about their business finding their seats and greeting their friends. I stand back because I know that I don’t really have a designated spot. I am new here. Once again, some people walk by me and notice that I ‘don’t fit in’. You see, I am not dressed appropriately and I know it. I am wearing what I normally wear around the house. I am most comfortable in my sweats and comfy shirt. At home I would have on my slippers, but I chose outside tennies today, for obvious reasons. To say that I am a bit uncomfortable would be an understatement. To say that others are put out of sorts over it is also understated. However, this is what it is and it is important to all of us. They just don’t know it yet.********************************** I take a seat in back so that I am not too conspicuous and so that I do not detract from the service and worship. Soon enough, they will forget about me and praise Him that sent me. And soon enough, they will see His plan.******************************* As the worship team closes their songs and announces the pastor of the church, everyone sits. You see, people tend to stand to praise Him in this church. The pastor runs through his announcements and makes one final announcement. Today, we have a special guest speaker, and he announces my name… only. I stand at the back and everyone turns to me. Some look confused, some smile a plastic Christian smile and some are genuinely pleased and welcoming as I move my way to the front. I begin.********************************************* The sermon would be about loving your neighbor before yourself. Taking care of the poor and downtrodden. Having compassion on the broken. And not judging a book by it’s cover. You see, man has the expectation of how one should dress for all things church related, whereas Jesus accepted everyone as they were. He just wanted them to come to Him. Obviously, I didn’t dress down and go to preach, but I should. I think it is too late, and would take a miracle, for people to stop dressing to impress, and just come as you are. There would always be those that think ‘decorum’ and ‘status’ in this life is critical to uphold. Even I would have a hard time convincing myself to pull such a ‘prank’ on the church. And you see, it would be a ‘prank’ because I wouldn’t normally dress that like either. *********************************** But imagine if we did…. More people, the people Jesus chased, the broken, poor and hurting people, would feel comfortable coming through those doors. More importantly, they would learn what Christian love is supposed to look and feel like. Because we would be sacrificing our egos and comfort for the sake of others. Imagine if we didn’t look twice at someone dressed differently in church. Imagine if we welcomed everyone and sat beside them and couldn’t wait to talk to them and hear their story.************************************* Matthew 25:41-43: “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.42For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink,43I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’ “ *********************************** James 2: 1-9: “My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. 2 Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. 3 If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” 4have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? 5 Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? 6 But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? 7 Are they not the ones who are blaspheming the noble name of him to whom you belong? 8 If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,”[a] you are doing right. 9 But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers”