There was a modern parable on the church bulletin board for a while which I thought I might share with you. Unfortunately I did not get around to writing this before it was removed. I'll try to remember some of the highlights.
"What you are is God's gift to you; what you make of
it is your gift to God."
- Anthony Dalla Villa
The story was about a fisherman's organization. The group would gather, learn all about fishing, talk about fishing, and study about fishing related topics. But the one thing they never actually took time to do, was go fishing. After years of bringing in new members, and establishing clubs in various areas, a couple of members started questioning whether someone ought to actually go fishing, since after all wasn't that the point of the organization? So, the two of them did. They had a great time. And, to make things even better, they caught a lot of fish. Indeed, when they returned to their local club branch, to tell of their success, everyone was impressed. They were so pleased that someone had actually gone out and tested their knowledge, they suggested the two needed to share their experiences with the other club branches, to encourage and enlighten the various members. So they did. They gathered some notes they had made, and began to travel the lecture circuit. However, lecturing kept them so busy, they never again had time to go fishing.
Similar to the above story was a sermon I heard in Petoskey, Michigan this summer. The minister talked about a football team which came onto the field on offense and went into their huddle. As too many seconds ticked off the clock, the official threw his flag for a "delay of game" penalty. This occurred several more times as the players remained in the huddle talking about all the plays they could run, how to better organize the huddle itself, its procedures, and whether or not it looked good to the fans. Finally, the fans began to leave the stands, the official threw his flag one more time, then declared the game forfeited, and left. With the stands empty, the officials gone, and the other team on its way home with an easy victory, the huddled players still stood circled together on the field totally engrossed in themselves and their potential.
Chuck Swindoll (Insight For Living) has an expression which I've always enjoyed. He says too many churches spend too much time having mostly "flashlight parties." What is a "flashlight party" you ask? That's where Christians gather and "flash" their "light" onto one another trying to impress each in turn, rather than taking true light into the world.
I can almost hear some people saying, "yep, that's the way those churches are all right." As if using the word "church" takes the blame off each individual, and puts it onto some building, or anonymous group. When you hold yourself up as a Christian, everything you do, or don't do, tells somebody something about this Jesus of yours, the Christ. Are you representing Him well?
Food for thought.