Traveling home last week, I had a layover in San Francisco. As I watched, I wondered where so many people were going, and looked out at the diverse types of airplanes as they landed and departed one after another. I began to think large planes are splendid, fast, and spacious reaching destinations such as London, Paris, New York, and Tokyo in a matter of hours; while their lesser turbo-prop counterparts [of which most do not like to fly] are slow and often noisy. Nevertheless, they are just as purposeful, and despite appearances, can get us in and out of places their larger contemporaries cannot.
Similarly, our faith’s walk causes us to misguidedly assume the same. Some churches are grand; with stained glass windows; accommodating hundreds of people; awe-inspiring choirs, accompanied by angelic solo voices; every imaginable instrument; and a lively pastor who can expound upon the intricate nature of scripture in Hebrew, Greek and Latin.
On the other hand, a rural and unfamiliar church that rarely a passerby can recall; dated pews; worn song books; and the sound of locomotives passing mid-sermon; an out of tune piano; the aged choir member that only remembers the first verse of “Rugged Cross.” Our untrained ears lead us to believe one is better than the other, but to God it is a sweet unadulterated sound of earnest praise. The anonymous pastor [except to the towns people] stands before the lectern, absent of any fanfare, intently opens the Bible, and shares the simplicity of John 3:16, Jesus’ death and resurrection, the urgency of salvation, and God’s enduring love for his people.
God’s people will go where God is present! Not for the purpose of seeking religion, but in answer to prayer and Salvation.
