=07 SHIRT IN THE SPOTLIGHT
As the Sunday worship service began, with songs and announcements, the Pastor stepped to the microphone and said nothing for a moment or two. Silently he looked at all the families watching him. He began, “A few minutes ago, I heard of an accident this week, right here in front of our church, that, well, maybe wasn't an accident at all – in God's way of doing things. I'm going to have young Dean – Dean Miah come up and help explain. Dean, you have your mom walk up here and tell us what happened while your mom was working on our missions bulletin board.”
Now Dean's shoes were polished and his pants were clean and pressed, like every Sunday. But folk were a bit surprised to see the ripped shirt Dean (that's Knee Miah) was wearing. His mom held the microphone down low for Dean as he began telling about the mysterious grass piles, the heart and broken glass, and his accident in the gravel getting his airplane. Dean began getting choked up as he told everyone about the unnamed teenager that comforted him with the words, “You're OK. I Gotcha! Don't be afraid.”
What even surprised Mrs. Miah, was when Knee said, “Our Beginner's Class teacher, Mrs. Prainor has been teaching us that when we make Jesus smile, it's like he's telling us, 'I Gotcha! Don't be afraid.' We're learning how to make Jesus smile.” Knee made sure everyone saw the ripped shirt sacrifice as he walked away from his mom still holding the microphone. She stood straight and in a very serious tone said, “We often think of missions as being hundreds of miles from here, maybe in a jungle clearing. The truth is, our mission field begins right across the street in front of us. Does it take a special talent or skills? Not at all. Those first steps of love, take little more than a ripped shirt and a Good Samaritan attitude.”
Timing Is Everything
Noone noticed except the pastor's wife. The pastor took the sermon notes he had worked on so very hard all week, and folded them put them in his coat pocket. The Holy Spirit had a slightly different message for today's service.
He began, “We adults, like a flash, criticize and condemn teens today. They dress, talk, and act in ways we call odd. We think their home address is a different planet. Sometimes their erratic behavior may even make us fearful and wanting to shun them... Let me ask you. How is it those piles of grass have been appearing and then disappearing? Who put the broken piece of glass with the little red heart one of our beginners made? What is it that changes young hearts from being entertained by the Bible stories we've all learned and loved – changes their focus on how to make Jesus smile?”
Pastor pauses to let his questions take root.
“As your pastor of FIRST CHURCH of HIS WORD, here in this neighborhood known for its broken glass, broken families, and broken dreams, my biggest question is this. How is it that the teenager – who sacrificed his shirt and comforted Dean, noticed the accident in the gravel? My heart shouts at me that he was watching! This teen is watching our church. He may even be the one making the weed piles. I don't know. But God does, doesn't he?”
Pastor looked down at Knee Miah and his ragged shirt treasure and said, “Dean, I wish I had a ragged treasure like God has given you, I really do. I don't think any of us know exactly why the teen is watching us. Maybe he's looking for a way to say I love your church, and your songs. He might be thinking, 'in my broken life, your church songs and spirit make me warm inside'.”
The following message was simple and straightforward. The message that really hit home with the listeners was that we must be prepared. What can we have ready, what can we do that proves we are a mission-minded Christian?
It sort-of makes you want a miracle that would make you fit in to the class of beginners learning more about broken glass hearts and ragged clothes – and making Jesus smile.
