Inspiration

MIA?  or just  M?

By Connie Arnold

Children make statements with certain hand gestures. When they clasp their fingers together with the fingers on the outside, they chant, “here’s the church”. They raise the two index fingers together and say, “here’s the steeple”. They open up their fists and say, “open the door”, then they shout, “where’re the people”? People are ‘M’, missing.

This has been the case with many churches that have yet to restart services during the Covid outbreak. Lights are still off, dust is collecting on pews and musical instruments, and the dust motes play in the sunlight streaming through the windows. Viewers collect before their home television sets, the adults may be catching their favorite TV evangelist, and the kids may be taking in extra Veggie Tales cartoons. All comfy in pj’s and sleep still in their eyes.

The psalmist said, “I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord,” (Psalm 122:1, KJV). We picture a group of bible characters rejoicing, turbaned heads bouncing, as they make their way up the hill to the temple. The synagogue is open, and the rabbi stands at the door, welcoming all to come.

When the children clasp their fingers together with the fingers on the inside and go through the same actions, they open the doors and are rewarded with ‘people’. Their fingers are erect like worshipers standing before a pew. The church is full again. Childrens’ pj’s are replaced with pressed jeans and nice polo shirts, and faces are scrubbed and shiny. Adults reluctantly change out of their sweats for less casual dress. The ‘M’ people have found their way back, and the promise is “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them,” (Matthew 18:20, KJV).

Now to the ‘MIA’s: The churchgoers are attending again, singing along with the worship team, and perhaps amening the preacher at their favorite parts. The ‘Action’?  So far, the children’s hands show the people back in the building, but they are standing motionless before the pews. Until they wiggle their fingers, then there is action. We need more action figures in the pews.

Jesus said, “Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? Behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields, for they are white already to harvest,” (John 4:35, KJV). Are there classrooms without teachers, instruments not playing?

One can’t ignore the call-to-action completely. Even TV preachers talk of witnessing to your neighbor. or the lady in the checkout line by words or a good deed. Putting others before yourself isn’t easy, but it’s a great place to start.

We can’t all be Paul. That evangelist ran all over the known world, leaving slower  workers in his dust. He started the church in Thessalonica (Thessalonians 2:13-14­­), while working hard (Thessalonians 2:9­) to support himself. Paul was totally in. “If I live, it will be for Christ, and if I die, I will gain even more. I don’t know what to choose. I could keep on living and doing something useful,” (Philippians 1: 21-23, CEV). What an example!

The ‘M’s are returning to the churches. The ‘MIA’s are soldiering up. “We are not fighting against humans. We are fighting against forces and authorities and against rulers of darkness and powers in the spiritual world. So put on the armor that God gives. Then when that evil day comes, you will be able to defend yourself. And when the battle is over, you will still be standing firm,” (Ephesians 6:12-13, CEV).