Family Starts Before We Git to Heaven
FAMILY OF GOD STARTS BEFORE WE GIT TO HEAVEN
Alright, glory be, Lambchop, git on over here an’ grab yourself one o’ them there porch chairs that don’t wobble like a three legged goat ‘cause we’re gonna be ‘a-steppin’ into a lil’ ol’ talk that’ll nudge yo’ heart and tickle yo’ funny bone.
Before we git too far, Hebrews 10:24-25 tells us to “spur one another on toward love and good deeds and not give up meetin’ together, but to encourage one another.” That there means church ain’t a bunch of lone turtles a-hidin’ in their shells. It’s a herd of us, a-walkin’, a-talkin’, and a-liftin’ each other up, even when life feels like a big ol’ bull ‘a-sittin’ on your chest.
Jesus said in John 13:34, “A new command I give you. Love one another.” That there’s no suggestion. That’s Jesus ‘a-sayin’ we best be ‘a-lovin’ folks even when we’re ‘a-feelin’ stubborn.
Now think on this here. You gonna be ‘a-spendin’ eternity with believers. Do you be ‘a-knowin’ them folks ‘a-sittin’ ‘round you at the church house? Not just, “Oh yeah, that’s the feller who’s always ‘a-coughin’.” Look at the one next to you. Look at the one behind you. If you’re ‘a-thinkin’, “I don’t even know ‘em,” well, Lambchop, that there’s the whole point of this here talk.
We treat church like a private transaction. We be ‘a-slipin’ in, ‘a-sittin’ like a possum a-guardin’ its stump, then ‘a-scootin’ out faster than a squirrel ‘a-standin’ under a hawk. But God done designed the church for community, not isolation.
That there person you’ve never been ‘a-speakin’ to might jes’ be ‘a-goin’ through a season that feels like a big ol’ horse done rolled over on top of him. That there family might be ‘a-prayin’ somebody even notices ‘em. That there elderly member might not have heard his own name called by anybody all week long.
Your assignment from God is real simple. Be ‘a-gittin’ to know folks. Be ‘a-learnin’ their names. Be askin’ ‘bout their week. Be ‘a-prayin’ for ‘em. Eternity is mighty long, so start actin’ like family they’re right now.
The ground is real level at the cross. The CEO is gonna be ‘a-sittin’ right next to the janitor. The doctor is gonna be ‘a-sittin’ right next to the unemployed. All are equal. All are loved. All are ‘a-headin’ to the same eternal home.
Lord, be ‘a-helpin’ us to be openin’ our eyes to other folks You’ve done placed ‘round us. Be ‘a-givin’ us courage, compassion, and love that looks like Yours. Be ‘a-teachin’ us to be family right now. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Now go on, Lambchop, git to steppin’ off this here porch and right on into somebody else’s life. Don’t let them church pews get more acquainted with each other than the folks ‘a-sittin’ on ‘em. The Lord didn’t save us to be ‘a-sittin’ like fence posts ‘a-standin’ in a row. He done saved us to ‘a-leanin’ on each other when the winds start ‘a-blowin’. You might be the blessin’ that keeps somebody from ‘a-feelin’ like a lonely stray goat ‘a-wanderin’ the back pasture.
With joy,
Gwen
