10.09.07
I’m done with the hall.
Have you ever had a lesson grow on you? You may or may not like it but the message just moves you more every time you think about it. I have come to a greater understanding about God’s plans for me. One sermon made a big difference. I knew it was good when I heard it. I knew God meant for me to hear it. But I did not know how much it would change my future.
Recently my preacher took a sabbatical and lined up some guest speakers to substitute for him. One of those speakers was Wade Hodges. I may well remember his message that day for the rest of my life. I am not one to put any preacher up on a pedestal. I like them too much for that. Preachers are people with failings and a few I have admired had their lives and careers derailed. So I’m not really a preacher fan. But Wade’s message that day was no doubt purposed by God for my ear.
He preached about getting off of the back row and taking our place in church. It was a message about belonging and inclusion. He used Acts 8:26-39 and the related passages from Isaiah (Not merely 53:7-9 but also 56:3-8). I am not going to post his sermon word for word. The gist of that sermon was simple: the Eunuch was probably not allowed to do much worshiping in Jerusalem. The Eunuch who traveled many miles to worship was relegated to the outer portico of the temple. So when he asked Philip, “What is preventing me from being baptized?†he was probably not expecting to hear “Stop the Chariot! Because you believe, you will be my brother.†Imagine the joy he must have found in that acceptance. Imagine the Love he felt as he read, “Let not the foreigner who has joined himself to the Lord say, ‘The Lord will surely separate me from His people.’ Neither let the eunuch say, ‘Behold I am a dried up tree.’ For the Lord says, ‘To the eunuchs who keep My Sabbaths, and choose what pleases Me and hold fast to My covenant, to them I will give memorial within the walls of My own house. Their name will be better than that of sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting heritage that will never be cut off.â€
Wade listed many types of excluded people. He did not talk about me or the people I’m moved to help. But God spoke in my own heart. Wade preached about folks in the back pew who come in late and leave quick because the feel they don’t belong. I wasn’t in the back pew. I was out in the hall behind it.
For years, I would take my autistic son into worship for short spells. We would walk out when his good behavior ran out. After that we
would roam the halls. The best I could hope for was working speakers in the hall. There was nobody to help me most of the time. People pitied us but did not help. They didn’t know how. I was fine with that. I knew that one day things wouldn’t be so hard. God heard my prayers. Now I have help with the boy. And he still comes in to worship for spells. Those stints will get longer. I thank God for the servants that help so I can worship.
But it does not end there. This is way bigger than me. Autistic people have a tough time with worship. People with other disabilities have a rough time too. I know exactly who God is talking about when He tells me, “Comfort o comfort my people.†My autistic friends have many difficulties with worship. They are not squeaky wheels so they get little attention. They are relegated to the outer portico. I can’t stand for this. The veil was torn from top to bottom and all mankind can enter the Holy place. Disabled people don’t belong on the outer portico. They deserve more and they will bless us all with their presence.
Let me encourage you all to consider helping disabled people and their families worship with you. It won’t be easy but it will make God smile. I have a feeling you might smile a bit yourself.