Vision
State of being able to see;
ability to think about or plan the future with imagination or wisdom.
(This is what I saw at church today.)
When making plans to go somewhere we haven’t been before, or to a special event, sometimes we create a vision of what we expect to see when we get there. While on vacation in Virginia, I went to a church I’d never been to, based on a recommendation from a lovely stranger I met in Walmart. My daughters and I arrived at the church and were greeted by a handful of young men, waving and smiling, one directing us to a parking space, another assisting us through the parking lot toward the church. We climbed the stairs where a man and woman welcomed us with warm eyes and bright smiles. Once inside, gracious ushers escorted us to our seats. I saw a cohesive team of women and men committed to welcoming all who arrived without condition.
The service started promptly with the praise and worship team, lifting their voices in sincere praise, accompanied by guitarists, a violinist, organist, flutist, and a drummer. A sign language interpreter was also present. They were short and tall, varied hues of brown, olive, tan, and beige; they were in perfect harmony. The lyrics sung from the heart, were voiced through lips that were natural, glossy, or tinted. Hands were clapped, folded in prayer, lifted up, stretched wide, at their side; fingernails were plain or painted shades of the rainbow. They wore skirts long, short and in between; pants, shorts, capris and jeans; dresses short and long, with sleeves long, short, or no sleeves at all. Feet were hidden in sneakers, heels, or flats; toes were exposed through sandals. Heads were adorned with hair of various hues, textures, and lengths – curly, straight, braided, twists, afros, locs, and coils. I saw a unified team of young people of different ethnicities, creating an atmosphere of worship, unconcerned about skin color, hair color, nail color, or raiment.
As the worship ministry was ending, the Pastor, neatly dressed in a linen sport coat, dress jeans, an untucked white shirt and Nike sneakers, approached the podium. His message was titled, The Significance of Suffering from 1 Peter 4. In his closing, the Pastor encouraged us to be transparent, humble, and edifying, to be motivated not intimidated, and admonished us to live like Jesus. I saw a man of God, passionate about the word, and God’s people, and their souls; a man who appeared to care more that you’re there, and less about what you wear.
We’re encouraged not to judge a book by its cover. Some covers are unappealing, so we pass them over, potentially missing out on an interesting and compelling story. Other covers lure us with beautiful colors and shapes, convincing us the story is worthwhile, but we find nothing of value inside.
When we enter houses of worship, we owe it to ourselves not to prejudge the worth or value of our brothers and sisters based on their garments of praise, or their colorful skin, hair, and nails, but rather the condition of their heart. We want the ability to see color, but not be judged by it. God looks deep inside examining the condition of the heart. If anything needs to be changed, trust God for the transformation.
What I saw at church that day was a beautiful vision of a cohesive, unified, passionate, and multicultural body of believers praising God and serving His people.
Grace & Peace,
Teretha