The doorbell rang. I hate it when the doorbell rings. It usually means that I forgot to leave the door unlocked for one of the neighbor kids, or as in this case it was a group of Christians. Not even Jehova Witnesses, who come once a month. A balding man with his bible in hand, his son (who looked to be about 9) and an older gentleman who I assumed was the balding mans father.
When I opened the door and saw them standing there I was instantly annoyed. Then his question to me, What do I think of the unrest in the Ukraine and did I think God had any thoughts on Peace? I was kind of dumbfounded really. I mean everyone knows that when there is Peace Jesus will come back and that will be that… So I said something to that effect and then finished with; “so I guess I’ll see you then” he started to read a scripture and I just said that I had something I was in the middle of and said good day.
I got back to my chair and I realized I really missed an opportunity. I missed the opportunity to invite him in my home. Where my wife was in the living room and decorations of our wedding seem to spew from everywhere. Whenever people such as them come to the door I always like to throw out the “we’re gay” card (Samantha lost hers, but mine is still intact.) For some reason I didn’t want to do that with his child there. I missed an opportunity.
I sat in my chair for quite a bit thinking about what I wish I had done and wondered the different directions it could have gone. I missed an opportunity.
I assumed that we were on opposite sides of the gay fence because he carried a bible. I carry a bible. I read the bible daily. He came to my door and because he had a bible, I was annoyed, defensive, inhospitable and probably just shy of rude.
This then got me to thinking about his question to me, about my thoughts of what God thinks of Peace… I think God is patiently waiting for us to get over ourselves. SERIOUSLY… we are so hung up on this book a book you can use to sway just about in argument in both directions, a book that I think we are supposed to question and talk about. Instead we use it against people who don’t believe the same way you do. No matter what it is.
So without getting long and drawn out Maybe what God is waiting for is for us as a collective of humans to quit bickering about who’s book is right or what this passage is saying about this or that and just invite people in. Without judgement from either side. That man didn’t say anything offensive to me, I just assumed he would because he was carrying a bible.
SAD… Wrong… gonna change it.
