An Invitation to Worship

While I was in Levelland, Texas for my son's World Series Baseball Tournament in August, there were several families who hosted the boys.  Two to three boys stayed at each home, and the families could not have been nicer.  The tournament was during school, so every day, the boys had study/homework time so they would not get too far behind.  First United Methodist Church was nice enough to allow the boys to use their multi-purpose room for their study hall, and asked for nothing in return.  The boys were Catholoic, Protestant and Jewish, and it occurred to me as I was helping the boys with their homework how beautiful it is when we simply BE Christ to others.   This church knew what it meant to be Christ to others, and we were so thankful to them.  One of the host parents found out that I was a Christian singer and invited me to sing at her church, which I gladly did.  She didn't ask what denomination of Christianity I was; she just simply invited me.  I asked myself, "When was the last time I invited someone to MY church?"  "How many times have I made assumptions about people and their faith or lack thereof?" We have to take risks.  We have to not be afraid of rejection and focus on the good things we spiritually have in common with others of all religions, races, etc.  If we simply and unconditionally welcome others to our churches and parishes, we will be doing God's will, the lines of division and disagreement will diminish, and God will be pleased.