…a story.
I think we all know that, but this tour of Florida has impressed upon me two realities about many of those stories.
Many stories remain untold for a lot of reasons. Some hide their stories out of fear or guilt over past mistakes. Others believe they’re unworthy, that their stories don’t matter. I’ve met a few folks in the past couple of weeks who don’t, or can’t, understand their own story.
An untold story is a sad thing. I think one very small but important way the church might serve would be to help the marginalized among us to understand and tell their story.
It’s not always easy. The folks who need this sort of help aren’t the safe, comfortable people we’re used to hanging out with. You can’t open the church door and wait for them to show up—mostly, they won’t. You have to leave the walls and go to them, where they are.
Kinda like Jesus did.
Many people believe they’re stuck with their story. They believe they are who they are, or they are what’s happened to them, or what they’ve done, or the choices they’ve made.
The notion of starting a new story is completely foreign to them.
Some of it’s guilt. The sins are too big, and it’s just too hard to believe you can be forgiven. Grace is a big pill to swallow when you’re lugging a big load of guilt.
Some of it’s repeated lies. God’s mad at you because you messed up. Your particular sin is worse than the normal sins, and that’s that.
That’s baloney, of course. God’s not mad at us. He wants nothing more than for us to let go of the old story and write a better one.
A lot of it’s fear. As horrible as the old story may be, at least it’s familiar. Who knows what might happen if I toss it and start over?
Jesus said, “Take courage. It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
People need to know they can rewrite their story, that they can live a better, more interesting life of love and service. They need to know they’re not alone when they take that big risk.
The question: who’s going to tell them?
The world won’t do it. They’re too invested in keeping people where they are.
Maybe it’s the church’s job.
That’s us.
# # #
The “ride” part of RICH’S RIDE just got a bit discombobulated. We hoped to jump on the bike and do 30 miles or so after two speaking events on Thursday, but 2+ inches of cold rain changed those plans. Friday we speak at 7am to Cornerstone, the drug/alcohol rehab program of Salvation Army. We’ll drive to Venice, do a TV spot, and ride a trail to Sarasota, where we speak to the noon Kiwanis Club. Then I’ll try to ride to Bradenton in the afternoon.
Becky reminds me frequently: RICH’S RIDE isn’t about Rich and it isn’t about a ride. This week provides evidence.
# # #
The rain delay gave me the opportunity to get caught up on pictures. Check out some photos.
WHERE’S RICH? |
|
Last 24 Hours |
Last 7 Days |
Please leave a comment here.
