In these days of texting, I don’t know if kids pass notes to one another in the classroom any more, but I have vivid memories of trying to get a missive to another classmate without my teacher seeing. This was particularly important when I wanted the attentions of a girl. I would sometimes put it pretty plainly (even boldly) by writing “Do you like me?” and, of course, I would include a box for “Yes” and a box for “No” and I think I may have added “I don’t know” as well in case she wanted to reflect on my potential.
It’s now 35 years later or so and I still have that same impulse, especially when it’s someone I hope will start attending Urban Village on a regular basis. I heard from a friend last week that a person who had attended a couple of times, and with whom I had had some really open and heartfelt lunches, was now attending another church. To make matters worse (I thought), it’s a New And Cool Church, a church that started about the same time that we did that others often attend in the city. I couldn’t believe that my first reaction was betrayal. It was as if this person has checked “No” on the note I passed along.
I think this is why the Scriptures say we must pray without ceasing. I won’t say that it still doesn’t sting a bit, but in my prayers this morning, I got the sense from Jesus that whatever (superficial) issues I have with this church, it may be the best place for this person and this person’s family. Not everyone will like Urban Village. Not everyone will like my style. I had to grudgingly say to Jesus, “Oh, OK, I suppose you’re right.” And it helped a bit that I also imagined that Jesus passed a note back to me. He checked “Yes.”