Smile

So I went to Wal-Mart today.

I have to confess that I don't really enjoy going to Wal-Mart. Actually the only thing I like about it is seeing someone I know! Haha...

I was visiting my family today in my home town. My dad and I went to Wal-Mart and guess what... Yep! I saw someone I knew. He's an old friend from the neighborhood that I grew up in. His name is Brian... But most call him "Smiley"

I thought it appropriate that I ran into him in a store that sports a big yellow smiley face for a mascot! That made me smile! Haha...

I spoke with him for a moment (nothing deep... just kind of small talk) then after giving him my number we bid one another farewell. As I was walking away... I felt like God spoke to my heart and said "Did Smiley seem very happy? Was he joyful? I want you to go back and ask him how you may pray for him!"

Actually Smiley didn't seem very happy at all! He smiled but it seemed very hard. It was as if there was a weight on him that covered up his joy! He was like a broken, dirty smiley face!

It took a moment for me to be obedient to what I felt God was asking me to do... I kept telling God that Smiley would call me and I'd talk to him then... but God didn't smile about that! He burdened my heart with the truth that I may never talk to Smiley again! I had to take advantage of that moment to love on this guy (Eph. 5:16).

When I finally got over myself and returned to my friend... I asked him if there was anything I could pray about for him. He was really open to it and seemed very grateful. This led to us talking about what God is doing in my life here lately. Somewhere in our conversation I asked him the question!

"Hey Bro, are you a Christian?"

That question led to a conversation about agnosticism and my favorite thing that Smiley said today, "I'm just not the church going type." Well, he didn't really know what being agnostic meant... but he called himself that... and then after explaining it to him... he assured me that he was not... agnostic.

I asked him about his beliefs concerning God and Jesus. He told me he believes! But he also told me that he is not a Christian. Apparently Smiley is dissatisfied with the Church. At least with what he has experienced of the Church.

We know from the book of Acts that when we were first called Christians (Acts 11:26). We know that what it really means is "Little Christ." Before that... Paul referred to those who followed Jesus as "followers of the Way" (Acts 22:4). Jesus said that He Himself was the Way (Jn. 14:6)!

The reason I share this with whomever reads it is simply this.

Are we following Jesus... the Way? When we read the Scriptures (if we read them) can we look at the picture of the Church (Acts 2:42-47) and say "That's what we look like"?

Or... do we look like "church going people" to my friend Smiley? Are we showing Jesus to this world? Or.... are we showing something else and calling it Christian?

There are so many people in this world who are hurting! They are in bondage! They are living without joy! They need the Truth of the gospel. But the one place they can find it is the one place most don't want to be affiliated with. They say, "I'm not the church going type" ~ Smiley.

I'm not saying that we are to be perfect! Do not misunderstand me. But to the world we live in we often are hypocrites!!! Don't just be a church going type! I urge you... follow Christ!!! They are watching... they need to see Christ in us!!! There are many like this!!! Let them know us by our love (Jn. 13:35)!!!

You say... "Yeah John! Look in the mirror..."

Fine... I'll lead the way! Let's go. Follow me. Let us love one another!