Your Own

. . . as even some of your own poets have said . . . 

 - From Acts 17

The Apostle Paul connected with people. He found a way, some way, any way, to find common ground with others, so that he could witness to them and build God's kingdom. And he was able to do this, so often, without violating some fundamental commandment of God. He did not become drunk, in order to relate to alcoholics. He didn't become a fornicator, in order to empathize with hedonists. He didn't start lying everywhere, in order to build solidarity with most of the rest of us. 

He simply befriended others. He sat down with them. Had coffee with them. Listened to them. Noticed them.

People only do those other things (fornicate, drink, use vulgar words, lie, etc) because they need someone to notice them, to treat them, (even if in a phony way) as though they mattered. 

It has been said that, if you're feeling lonely, a bar is a better place for you, than a church. And this sounds harsh, but it's probably mostly true. People need to relax today, to let go. To have a moment of laughter, or even of human touch of the most base variety. They might do almost anything to attain it. 

A friend of mine, that had been raised pentecostal, recently shared with me that she has visited a Catholic church. She is not a catholic. Many of their practices are near anathema to her. But she described her need to be where God is taken seriously, and worldliness is resisted. And so far, only the Catholics seem to be taking much, in the spiritual realm, at all seriously. 

She is going where she can connect, where the people seem sincere, where the word of God is taken seriously. And where the Kingdom can grow. She found that, of all of the beliefs she finds most critical in our times, at least in a Catholic Church she will be accepted. It can be a safe place, away from so many mainstream churches that are more interested in being "accessible" to "seekers."

At any rate. We must put all of that aside, and learn to just . . . accept . . . others. 

I say it again: listen to them. Treat them like they matter. Notice them.

That would be worth a million examples of having the right doctrine, or performing the right rituals.