First off, you just have to go to Passion 2010. I am still talking about the great moments from Community Weekend...and Passion 2010 will be 4x the fun. Space is limited...so get that $25 deposit in this week. Your heart will thank you on January 6...I promise.
So you've probably heard about it...but it was Muslim Family Day at Six Flags during Community Weekend. It was actually an eye-opening experience for me. It was particularly interesting to see Muslim families enjoying a theme park together. I hate to admit it, but seeing followers of Islam enjoying roller coasters just wasn't something I thought I'd see. I also hate to admit it but after over 10 hours in the park, I did not say a thing to anyone outside of my small little circle of people. Most of you reading this post wouldn't blame me I guess. Who goes to an amusement park and talks to people they don't even know? We're all there for the same thing...to have fun with the people you came with...not to make new friends while standing in line to give our lunch a spin (you'll get that later). But I couldn't help but ask myself that beautifully cliche question, 'what would Jesus do?'
Here's what I know about Jesus. He had a habit of talking to people who didn't see the world the way He did. In fact, He often went out of His way to engage conversations with people who obviously differed with Him religiously, politically and socially. For example, in John 4 it isn't the Samaritan woman who breaks the ice, it is Jesus. In Mark 2, it is Jesus who invites a tax collector to join his inner circle. It is Jesus who reaches His hand out to touch a leper in Luke 5. It is the tenor of the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5. As you read the gospels, you find that time and time again, Jesus 'crosses the aisle' so to speak to reach out. Is it not the entire theological premise...that He who was not like us became one of us in order to include us? This is the example I am living and learning to follow.
So while Community Weekend was a blast, I have to admit that I left that park a little disappointed in myself. I do not think Jesus would have played the introverted card or would have excluded himself from others in the name of community. He would've moved towards people...He would've talked to them, broken bread with them, listened to their stories and He would've desired to be friends with them.
Somewhere down the line, I have been convinced that it is okay to not follow Jesus' example at Six Flags (among other places). I mean, Six Flags can be a dangerous place. You might get ignored. You might catch something. You might lose your life. You might even start looking like the One you claim to follow. Who wants any of that? (Actually, a lot of us in the A218 Community say weekly that we want that!)
Jesus tells me that God loves the world, which obviously means people. I wonder if I do. I wonder if you do.
So A218 Community...whether you are totally convinced that Jesus is 'God with us' or you are still deciding if you are gonna buy your own Bible, remember that the example of Christ compels us outward, and at all times. Jesus calls us to put on humility even when we think we have all the answers or think we reserve the right to ask all of the questions. Jesus' eye is always on the ones who are excluded, and His finger always directed at the included to 'go get them'. The story of the King is one of constant reaching out...in season and out, introverted or extroverted, on a roller coaster or eating a funnel cake. Don't do what I did at Six Flags, (again, sorry for the cliche) do what Jesus would do.
Love you A218 Community...make sure you love the world.
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For His Dream,
Derrick Scott III
Upcoming events and info:
Silver Creek kids to CRC Fall Festival - Oct 23
A218 October Seminar - Oct 25 and Oct 29
Passion 2010...$245 rate ends Oct 24
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