I came home the other day to discover that someone had been in the flower bed in my front yard. Apparently they had taken it upon themselves to remove the weeds from the entire thing, bagging everything neatly next to our garbage cans. (I had previously attempted to spend some weekend time removing the weeds, but the weeds were winning that battle and attempting to overtake our house.) I still have no idea who did it; my neighbor's gardener won't confess and I haven't had the chance to ask around any more than that.
Last Sunday, I was speeding on the way to church. By the time I passed a van on 60th Street, I was going about 72 in a 55. (Nothing terribly unusual for me, incidentally.) I had to get up to that speed partially because the van in question sped up as I was trying to pass him. Upon arriving at church, I heard a man's voice say, "Hi! How are you doing this morning?" I instinctively responded, "Doing well, how are you?" Without answering, this guy assumed the most fake church-smile possible and proceeded to lay into me about speeding: he was driving the van I passed. He asked if I thought it was a Christian example to drive so recklessly. He asked if I thought it would be the Christian thing to do if I killed someone on the way to church. He pointed out that I arrived "maybe ten seconds" earlier than him by going faster than he was going. I told him (fuming inside, calm outside) that I would think about it and thank you for your suggestions. I scampered off to worship rehearsal, even later than I was thanks to him.
This guy doesn't know me. That is not just a phrase uttered by thugs (where "You don't know me!" generally means "You are probably right that I shot up that liquor store, but without proof I am free to ignore (or even take offense to) your conjecture") — this guy had no idea whether I was even a Christian or not. Can you imagine lecturing a visitor to your church before they even hit the door? I'd think they would turn right around, get back in the car and head to Denny's instead.
What's more, how hypocritical is it to assume the ol' holier-than-thou posture and lecture someone on speeding... when you yourself are speeding?! "Well, I was technically breaking the law but at least I wasn't going as fast as you!" Why not just say, "Yes, I am a sinner, but at least I'm not as bad as you!" I think Jesus had words for those people...
What do the two stories have to do with each other? I want to believe that the person who pulled all of my weeds did so as an act of Christian service. (This flies in the face of the probable reason, which is that my neighbors, frustrated with the perfect example of white trash living that is my front yard, cursed my name and pulled the weeds, since they knew I'd never quite get to it. But work with me for a sec.) Christians see a need and meet it, regardless of whether or not they ever get recognition, whether it's a small need or a large need, whether it's simple or difficult.
At least, that's the way Christians act in my imaginary world. In the real world, Christians jump down your throat — even at church, where we are COMMANDED unity! — without giving one thought to whether it's the best thing. But it feels good, right?! Isn't it so much easier to play the modern-day Pharisee rather than getting on your hands and knees in the 105-degree weather and pulling weeds for (what might just ungrateful and rude) neighbors?
It occurred to me to be sorry for my new friend at church. I'm trying not to be angry, because my pride was definitely offended when he confronted me at church. So I don't want to be condescending, but at the same time I imagine one gets awfully lonely in one's own head when the appropriate "Christian" response is to lay into someone else at the first sign of offense.
God, help me pull weeds.
Posted by pcg at August 13, 2008 1:08 PMWow. An interesting little moment. You get a gold star for some great self awareness. Why on earth are churches full of judgement? I really don't think that is the point.
I do need to point out, that perhaps the gardener next door just doesn't like the weeds in your yard spreading to his precious flowers, but I think you've found the *right* thing to assume and I am being cynical. I know the 76 year old neighbour I have sometimes helps me out with mowing! And I'm sure he is genuinely adding to life and liveliness: that's it.
Also, if you are a recognizable worship leader, you are perhaps considered 'leadership' in the church. Still doesn't affect your summary at all. The van driver still isn't entitled to judge. That is really wacky.
Posted by: Bruce Milne on August 13, 2008 8:42 PMThree thoughts:
1) Sin is not hierarchical. All have sinned. Speeding or murder or gossip - different from a horizontal/moral perspective, but no real difference from a vertical/spiritual perspective. It is a control technique to justify our own identity, but has nothing to do with God.
2) To judge someone else, you have to first believe yourself "good" and qualified to judge -- a very dangerous thing to do from what I can see in Scripture.
3) From my reading, the only people Jesus ever got p*ssed off at were those who thought they were good, qualified to judge, and who had created an arbitrary hierarchy of rules and sin (the pharisees) and those who exploited spirituality for their own benefit (the money changers).
All that to say, pulling weeds is a really good place to be. Nice post.