In the middle of “Finding Nemo,” a 90 some minute Disney film about two fish trying to find each other, my 4 year old granddaughter stood up on her seat and said, “If they aren’t going to find each other, let’s go home.” She had reached and exceeded her frustration level.
My sentiments exactly about going to church and having the hour filled with everything accept the story of Jesus. Sometimes there are so many announcements and so much money to raise and so much promotion of some worthy cause we forget what we really came for. We came for Jesus and us to find each other and if it’s not going to happen let’s go home.
I know it is difficult sometimes for a pastor to squeeze everything in his allotted time and it is easy to momentarily lose one’s priorities. Life is full of so many important things. In Mark 2 there is a great story about a group of friends who wanted to bring someone to Jesus for healing. There were so many people around the door of the house where Jesus was they eventually dug a hole in the roof so they could lower their friend to Him. In verse 4 Mark says, “They could not come near for the press, . . .” Obviously Mark was talking about people but we could use it to talk about the press of life’s duties and responsibilities keeping us away from a relationship with Jesus.
Do whatever you need to do. Cut a hole in the roof but make sure you do get together with Jesus.
Written by Roger Bothwell on September 14, 2003
Spring of Life, 151 Old Farm Rd. Leominster, MA 01453