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Not Enough Room on a Short Pew
Not Enough Room on a Short Pew
I witnessed something beautiful last night. A young man responded to the invitation and I was amazed by an outpouring of love and support shown by so many of his spiritual family. At least a dozen people, young men and young women as well as older men and women, came forward, too. They were not responding to the invitation to confess sin, but responding to this young man's response. But there was room for about five on that short pew. The rest of them either stood nearby or sat on adjoining pews. They just wanted to be there for their friend and brother.
I could not help but think about what a beautiful display of family that was! This young man was hurting and struggling. It takes a lot of courage to admit wrong, to ask for help, and to do so publicly. It is obvious that this congregation has concluded that no one should ever have to do that alone.
It is not the only way to do this, but it is definitely one way to bear one another's burdens (Galatians 6:2), encourage and build up one another (1 Thessalonians 5:11), provide edification according to the need of the moment (Ephesians 4:29), to bear the weaknesses of those without strength (Romans 15:1) and to strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble (Hebrews 12:12). Think about what occurs with such an overwhelming outpouring of comfort! It tells the one who has come forward that he is special, important and that he matter. It treats his problem(s) as most serious. It makes a statement about how he is seen, as a vital member of the body.
What would happen if every time anyone – a middle-aged man, an elderly widow, a struggling divorcee, a new member, a deacon, an elder, a preacher, a teen, or any other sub-classification – publicly responded, they were met with such encouragement and consolation? Wouldn't we be reflecting the heart of the Prodigal Son's father in Luke 15, who ran to meet the boy who'd come home? Please consider this the next time someone publicly responds. Don't worry what others may think of you. The one who responded didn't worry about it. Don't stop to ask what it might look like. That broken man, woman, boy, or girl didn't. If we're going to err, let's err on the side of charity and not severity! The church should ever seek ways to create a culture of compassion!
Remember the words of Paul: "So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you" (Col. 3:12-13).
--Borrowed
