The Writing's on the Wall

Over the weekend, our home church at First Baptist Kenner was vandalized. Someone painted graffiti on the fellowship hall just in time for folks to see on Sunday morning. Naturally, some people were upset by this. Whether it was because of the act itself or the fact that it had been done to the church's building, I don't know. I don't think anyone was particularly outraged but everyone was surprised and taken aback. First Baptist Kenner is surrounded on three sides by a moderate to low-income community. In fact, its at the bottom quarter of the economic scale in Jefferson Parish. For years the church building has literally cast a shadow on this community but rarely, if ever, darkened their doors. As we began to transition in the absence of a pastor, opportunities for service that had always existed began to be taken advantage of. Hands nervously reached out to people who didn't look like us, dress like us, or make as much money as us. It was subtle and often unnoticeable but God blessed as a result. New and different faces began showing up at worship and wide-eyed, skateboard loving, video game junkies started participating in the youth ministry. After years of being ignored by the community because of our apparent apathy, cold hearts were being stirred by the slightest tough. First Baptist Kenner was doing more than taking up real estate, it had begun to seriously consider this Great Commission thing. To my friends and fellow church members who read this, let me submit that had we remained in our apathy there's a good chance that not one mark of graffiti would have marred our walls. Churches who are ignored by their community pose no threat. Push back the darkness and the darkness will push back. Satan doesn't give us an inch nor does he accept a consolation prize. Personally, I see this graffiti episode as a positive sign. We've done only a little but its enough to get The Enemy's attention. Let us commit to boldly exalting Christ in this community and offer those who live there proof after proof of His undying love and relentless endeavor for their salvation.