What are you doing here?

"Woe to the world because of its stumbling blocks! For it is inevitable that stumbling blocks come; but woe to that man through whom the stumbling block comes!"  Matthew 18:7

{Note to self:  starting a blog off with a warning might cause readers to stop reading.  Hmn.  I hope not!  For you see, then I would be a stumbling block and they might not read about these pebbles and rocks and other things that may block our paths in this so-called Christian walk.  Sigh.  Lord, keep 'em reading, please, so that together we might find some common ground and a smoother way.}

The above verse is the one chosen by Steve and me for this week's study.  Last night as we shared our preliminary thoughts, here are a few highlights:

• It is rare that exclamation marks are used in the Bible.  This verse does so twice.  Twice!  That must mean it is especially important.
• "Woe" is a forceful word, implying to stop, pay attention, or grief may follow.
• It's a given that the world is going to trip us up.
• The one who causes others to stumble is a man you don't want to be around when God's wrath strikes.
• Am I that man?

This one is going to be deep, folks.  Self-reflection sometimes shows our ugliness rather than the beauty we'd rather project to the world.  Looking deep inside of ourselves to see what they see versus what we think we are showing is quite revealing indeed.  For instance, are the characteristics of Christ evident or do we have too much concealer on for Him to shine through?  Are we unconsciously projecting things that make others doubt and/or disbelieve our words because our actions are so dissimilar?  

The other day in church, it was Homecoming and we had several visitors and several folks we had never met.  A dear lady friend of mine had previously expressed concern for one of her family members that would be attending.  As we greeted one another, she again urgently voiced her concern that her brother really needed to be here and that he needed to be saved.  Jokingly, Steve saw him walk in, and said he'd get right on it.  He headed his way and my friend and I kind of watched to see what would happen next as my characteristically peaceful man headed towards her sibling.  Turns out Steve knew him because he was a customer in his place of business and rapport had already been established long ago.  They laughed and greeted one another affectionately and she and I heaved a sigh of rel

Later, I asked Steve something to the effect of would that fella have been surprised to see Steve at church?  Where he works, he encounters all sorts of men and while most are prone to be more businesslike, there are those with whom Steve gets to know more personally and is able to joke around with.  This guy happened to be one that Steve was fond of and had bore the brunt of much frivolity and humor between his work partner and the fellas Steve works with.  Thankfully, it was nice bantering and not ugly stuff that can so often lead one to feel shame when later faced with said man in a church setting.  That being said, no:  this man was not the least bit surprised to see Steve in church and because of the previously established relationship, it added to his comfort level of being in a strange place and--hopefully--it will be easier for him to attend again, knowing he has a friendly face there to greet him and also to talk with later about things once the Holy Spirit continues working in his heart (yes, I write that with confidence because, you see, my friend has made her brother one of her number one priorities and God listens when His children fervently pray).

It could have gone the other way, though.  If Steve had been the type of man who did not present himself as a child of God, this guy could have been instantly turned off and thought "What kind of church is this that would allow a guy like Steve in it?  Unh unh:  it's not for me."  

In conclusion, we must stay constant in and out of season, friends.  We can't project to the world too many different sides of us because it may cause them to stumble.  We can't be one thing in one place and the polar opposite in another.  So, as we go about our days, may this be our prayer:

Father in Heaven, as You look down upon us today, remind us that we are always under the microscope.  While we may not realize our actions are being recorded, someone is studying us and storing up the way we act.  When those moments come for us to shine, may the groundwork laid be strong enough for them to stand upon as well as we seek to draw other closer to You rather than repel them with our daily actions.  In the name of Jesus I pray this:  amen.