It's not about the turkey

In the course of connecting the disconnected vis a vis Thanksgiving Baskets, my in-person and telephonic encounters have included doses of the following:

I just wanted the free turkey.

Silence.

Walk aways.

I know.  I know.

We are different from the buffet of services and hand outs that the world has.  We must conform to the patterns of the world no longer.

We are the place where people find the Bread of Life and Living Water.  We are the place where God’s people gather to worship and serve and love.

We are calling people to meet the most vital need in their lives.

We are calling people to fill the void in themselves with God’s love.

When people come they will know how richly God’s people will bless them.

But for those just looking for the free turkey or who just want to grab some free food and remain disconnected from the Body of Christ; this is not that place.

We must be faithful to who we are.

We are the church.

We take good news and salvation into the world.

We have mercy and compassion and express incredible generosity among God’s children.

We are not a vending machine.

That may sound harsh.  It isn’t.

Harsh is saying, “Here’s your turkey.  Good luck this year doing it your way again.”

Love speaks its own language.

Love says that we need to get to know each other as brothers and sisters in Christ.

Love says that the church building is not a place that you come when you need help.  It is a place where your family gathers and they know you need help before you work up the courage to ask.

Love says that all I can give you will expire or be consumed one day, but I will lead you to the One who never expires and is all consuming.  I will lead you to God through Christ his Son.  I will lead you to life.

And as we get to know you, if we find you are hungry then we will feed you.

If you need clothing, just see how generous we can be.

If you need work, we will give you something until you find full time employment.

If you are struggling financially, we will teach you biblical finance and help you get back on your feet.

If you need someone to pray with you and for you, you are in the middle of that group.

If you are ready to  be the person God made you to be, we will help you find your gifts and talents and give you a safe place to put them to use until you are confident in the wonderful things that God has placed in you.

If you are just looking for a free turkey, then you came to the wrong place.

We are true to who we are.

We are the church.

We are on a mission from God.

We press on towards the goal.

We cast off anything that gets in the way, especially those things that would conform us to the world.

We are the church.

You were born to be a part of this wonderful family.

Come and realize the person God made you to be.

It’s not about the turkey.

It is all about you coming to know God by coming into his family.

Come.

Come!