New York is such an interesting study in human behavior. People from around the world converge here, to experience what they perceive as life in America. I see them all over the place. Standing around gawking up at the tall buildings, in Times Square trying to understand why there’s a man playing the guitar in his underwear, and lately, hanging out in Harlem eating soul food and hoping to hear some good gospel music. In fact, their American adventure seems to be incomplete without a religious experience. So they stand in line sometimes for hours, outside predominantly black churches, waiting to hear one of the local choirs sing and shout.
I suppose native New Yorker’s have grown accustomed to it, and probably don’t even mind. But as a child of the south, it just didn’t sit right with me. In fact, I wasn’t happy about it at all. My first thought was, wow…our churches have become the new minstrel show. Our worship is now their entertainment. Yet another thing from our culture for them to exploit. I’ll bet the tour companies make a tidy profit, bussing tourists uptown to see “the show”.
I know, you think I’m being unfair, assuming they’re all there to be entertained instead of worship. And of course, you’re right. After all, who can know what’s in the heart of another? My opinions were based purely on what appeared to be true.
You see the tourists were easy to pick out. Their big cameras and backpacks were a dead giveaway. Their actions and apparel made it seem like they weren’t really interested in participating in the service, as much as capturing their religious experience as a moment in time. That’s why the ushers seated them upstairs, so when they started snapping pictures, they didn’t disrupt service.
Church members, however, were directed downstairs. They generally entered with an air of joy and reverence, and seemed eager for praise and worship. On the surface, our motivations seemed completely different. But lately, I’ve been wondering, were our intentions really all the same? Were we all there just for the experience?
I’m sure it’s my study of the gospels that got me thinking about it. You see, this year I decided to learn more about the life of Christ by reading the four books at the beginning of the New Testament – Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. After all, it’s kind of hard to be a Christian and not really know the person I’m trying to emulate. And I have to tell you, although I’ve been a Christian for years I’ve actually learned a LOT.
Christ’s life is rich with lessons about nearly every facet of living. But from my perspective, there seem to be two central themes that run throughout His ministry. First and foremost, He was always about love. His whole ministry was built on inclusion, compassion, restoration and salvation. He had no tolerance for classism, sexism, or racism. Christ loved everybody, including his enemies. Second, He always focused on relationship, not religion. His goal wasn’t to get people to the temple in droves. It was to restore our relationship with our loving God.
And that’s the part that’s really got me thinking. Because it’s so easy to be a Christian for the religious experience, and never really seek out a loving, intimate relationship with God. We become like the tourists, heading to church on Sunday for the show, and then checking off our box for having done the right thing.
But then on Monday, we put our Christianity back in the closet, and off to work we go. Get beat down and bloodied by the crazy people at the job, and then on Sunday we go back again for another experience that makes us feel good and boosts us up for the road ahead. We can spend our whole lives on a roller coaster experiencing religion, and never fully understand the joy of the love relationship Jesus offers.
The great news is that God designed us for so much more. He offers us His whole self, and the key to truly experiencing the richness of that relationship is to spend intimate time with Him. Because the truth is going to church is great and has its benefits, but you can go 52 weeks out of the year, and still just be acquainted with God. You may know a lot about Him, but you’ll never really know Him, until you seek Him for yourself.
Once you do, you’ll begin to see the difference in your life, and want that for others too. People like those tourists I see lined up every Sunday, who used to irritate me to no end. Now I thank God for them, and pray that the message they hear produces a miracle in their life. You know why? Because in studying the life of Christ, I was reminded that He never turned anybody away. Prostitutes, criminals, and crumb snatchers – they were all welcome. Even when He knew there were people in the crowd who were up to no good, He still allowed them to stay, because He loved them enough to give them another chance.
As His children, we too have a second chance, to develop a deeper relationship with God. It’s not hard, but it does take some effort. So today, as you finish reading this blog I pray you make the commitment to spend more quiet moments with Him. Reading the four gospels is a good place to start. Let Him reveal Himself to you through His word, and be sure to keep a journal close by so you can make note of how you can apply it to your life. You’ll be amazed at what God deposits in your spirit when you diligently seek Him.
He’s waiting…for you. Will you take a moment to get to know Him?
Hugs and Love ❤
Andrea Anderson says
I am so thankful that Jesus was about love and relationship and even more grateful each day for opportunity I have to be in relationship with him everyday and not just on Sunday’s. But most of all I am thankful for his forgiveness, mercy and infinite love! Thanks fo reminding us Katrina!
Katrina McGhee says
Me too! So grateful His love never fails. Have an awesome day!