Principle #3
She walks into the room of unfamiliar faces. "Lord, I don't see anyone here that I know. And all of these people look so worldly." She thought. "Nevertheless, You didn't call me to be a judge. This is not about me. I am here for You. Forgive me of thinking such things about Your creation. I am here to speak Your word. I pray that You will do what You need to do through me, today. In Jesus name." Her eyes fix upon the first person she sees. Immediately she walks over with her hand extended to introduce herself. The smile on her face is genuine. Her heart skips a beat. Chills run through her body as she realizes the privilege she's been given to spread God's love. The aroma she gives off is one of love and acceptance.
We have all watched the series called "The Bible" by now I'm sure. There is a scene in there where Jesus comes to Matthew the tax collector, and begins telling the parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector (Luke 18:9-14). As he gets to what the tax collector says, Matthew's mouth is moving just as Jesus is speaking. He says, "God, be merciful to me, I'm a sinner!" The tears roll down Matthew's face. Jesus looks at Matthew, extends His hand, and says, "Come!" This scene is one of the most moving scenes in the series to me. Because it shows Jesus' acceptance of Matthew. He cast no judgment whatsoever. He only welcomed him. It brings me to the third important principle of Ministry. We are to make people feel accepted.
I recall a moment in my sixth grade year of school. I didn't have many clothes growing up then. So every week, I wore the same things over and over. Then one day, I got something new. I felt cute in it. I was late getting to class that day. So when I walked in to go to my seat, I heard a girl whisper to another girl, "She finally got some new clothes!" Not only was what she said hearable, it was also visible. She turned around and covered her mouth with her hand. And I saw her. That moment has forever been imprinted on my heart. I was not accepted by this little girl. Her name was Jillian.
We as Christians must be careful the judgment we pass on people whether we know them or not. It's not our job to look down our noses at other people. Again, we once used to be where they are. It's a wonder that God allows us to have experiences such as the one I had in sixth grade. Granted, it wasn't the only one. But I learned from those experiences. That experienced shaped me. I learned how I never wanted to make other people feel.....unaccepted. And I realize now that such moments are acts of the enemy.
The enemy wanted me to remember that moment and forever be bitter and hurt by it. But I realize now that God used it and worked it out for my good. That moment taught me to never judge a book by it's cover. For a long time, I wouldn't eat blueberries because of the way that they looked. They didn't look like they were good. Just recently in my life, I decided to take a bite into one. Oh the goodness of that blueberry. I should have been ashamed of myself for missing out on all that goodness all those years. Now they are my favorite. I have accepted them.
In life, we are going to come across all kinds of people from all walks of life. We may even entertain angels unawares. But if we are going to reach the multitudes for God's kingdom, we must make people feel accepted. People don't want to walk through the doors of your church and one of your members has her nosed turned up at them because of the way they are dressed. Who died and made her Jesus? Exactly......no one. God's greatest commandments are that we love Him first with our hearts, minds, bodies, souls, and strength. The second is to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. We are to do unto others as we would want done unto us.
We all want to feel accepted. The ones who are supposed to do this the more are those called by God's name. To find common ground, to not act as a know-it-all, and to make people feel accepted is what we as Christians have been called to do. We must get busy if our ministry is going to be effective.