Just sitting here... an outsider-looking in

This week I sit in a privileged position.

It is not very often that I feel like an outsider.

God has been good to my family and me; we are always treated with great hospitality and care. It may be a Kent Smith hand-made goody basket in our room at the Baymont or a bag of hickory-smoked ribs from Van’s Pig Stand as Sis. Bowman hands them in the door of the motor home. It could just as easily be the homemade noodles of Sis. McNeely, the one-of-a-kind sweet tea you get at the Shindolls' home, or a steak with a shrimp cocktail at St. Elmo’s, compliments of the Longs; but one thing is certain: we usually feel right at home and on the inside.

Today is different.

Today I am in a privileged position.

We are parked at a certain church somewhere between the two great oceans, while preaching in other churches in the area. It’s a large church with ministries for all ages. They have masterful preaching and a ministry team that is second to none, facilities that rival the largest denominational churches of the city, and a budget that is used weekly to help missionaries, both foreign and stateside. I have not preached for this certain church--yet, I am the one who is privileged.

Tonight is their church's community-wide fall fest. We have watched them work hard as they have set up booths, moved in trailers, set up sound systems, bounce houses, and bags of toys, and hooked together their large train ride. The work has been constant and done with cheer. But I sit today as an outsider.

I cannot tell you how many carnivals or festivals I have been a part of, worked, or led. It would be easier to list the number of years I have not worked on this type of effort than to try to count the times I have been involved.

There are things I would have been happy to do. I would have loved to help them work out the last-minute details, pull the boxes out of storage, come up with that last booth or prize, drive a tractor, or sell tickets. But today any of my experience or ability will go unnoticed as I sit idly by and watch. Today I am an outsider looking in--to their programs, efforts, and festivities.

I am sure the pastor and each one of those who work in the local church here would be mortified by my thoughts today. If they knew how I felt, they would begin to make excuses for their actions; and without a doubt, they would be apologetic in the most convincing way. But they will never know, because today, I am an outsider.

Don’t be sad for me. I don’t mind others' being involved and happy working in the kingdom… I just realized what it feels like to be an outsider – looking in.

I got the privilege today to feel like so many may feel. I wonder how people feel driving down our streets when they look at our churches. How many people would be willing to get involved with our churches, but they do not feel like they have any right to offer their time, talents, or treasure? They are the outsiders.

The Bible still says that we have the duty and responsibly to go out and compel them to come in. We are biblically required to literally insist that they get involved with our churches. Many people, like me today, do not feel they have the right to intrude into an established program.

Do they have something to offer? Sure they do. There are doctors who could help your church minister to thousands more than they do today. There are licensed counselors, legislators, business owners, chefs, and many, many more who could walk in the door and add value, talent, and treasure to your established church. But as an outsider, they don’t feel comfortable just barging into your program uninvited.

I think there are many who would be honored to be part of our churches. I will go one step further and say, I believe they desire to be part of our churches; but in our efforts to provide a program, we have inadvertently built a wall. So, we fail to reach those who would gladly step in and become part of what we are doing.

Just a few thoughts from an outsider today – who wanted to be an insider.