Do Something for God

Do Me a Favour?

We are frequently harangued from pulpit or Christian TV, or similar, to stop saying we’re Christians and to start being Christians. In fact one of my own pithy little sayings is “Let's stop going to church and start being the church.” Most people don’t have a problem with this. As an idea, it is well supported. As an ideal, it’s not so well or so easily put into action.

One of the major problems given to the flock by well meaning preachers, and I’m probably one of them, is that we urge the congregation to do something without giving a clue as to the “why?” or the “how?” of doing it. The preacher usually does a fine job of convincing his audience of the need for action but rarely if ever explains why the action is needed nor how to begin the action.

I have been in many a ‘prayer meeting’ when last Sunday’s sermon is raised and discussed with as many different opinions as people present as to what is to be done or how to do it. Usually we end up with a rather grandiose program of social activity that is either a million miles off the intended target, or is a total and complete over-kill. I can imagine that, at such moments, the Lord is sitting there scratching His head and wondering bemusedly what went wrong with His plan.

I think that, when we are asked to “stop going to church and start being the church”, we need to really consider what is meant by the suggestion. I think that for every grand gesture in the first church, when someone sold their property for the benefit of those in need, there were a thousand small acts of kindness and even generosity amongst the people. Small deeds, like picking up some milk for a neighbour, or buying a little extra food in order to help a family in need. Little acts like watching the kids while Mum runs to the store for something she forgot earlier – or even going for her.

Loving our neighbour as ourselves is not normally, or even not necessarily, a grand gesture. It is much more likely to be a random act of kindness performed several times a day probably. Loving our neighbour is being the church. It is even sometimes a little nudge that whispers in our ear, “Hey, do Me a favour? See that person over there? He’s having a hard time getting his stuff home. Will you give him a helping hand?”

Forget all your grand schemes and programs, operate on the internationally well known sales method - the “K.I.S.S.” technique. “Keep It Simply Simple” !! People rarely want the big things. All they want are the little kind acts that make them smile and say “Thank You”. That is when they look at us and say “That was a Christian thing to do.” That is when the door opens for a blessing, even a prayer, and a seed is sown. A small kindness can make a lifelong impact.

So, do the Lord a favour – Keep it simple – OK?