Fences and Signs

Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy leaden and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28 


Signs – originally by The 5 Man Electrical Band

And the sign said anybody caught trespassin’ would be shot on sight.

So I jumped on the fence and-a yelled at the house, “Hey! What gives you the right?”

“To put up a fence to keep me out or to keep mother nature in”

“If God was here he’d tell you to your face, Man, you’re some kinda sinner”

We recently finished watching a documentary that was filmed in Louisiana.  During scenes in some of the more dangerous and drug afflicted neighborhoods, the churches were protected by fences.  Not a simple white picket fence, or a tasteful privacy fence, or even, like Eastridge, a fenced in playground to provide a safe place for young children, still learning about boundaries and safety.  No, these fences were chain link.  Some were 6 feet tall, and some were 10 feet tall.  They had heavy padlocks and chains on their gates. 

When our son and daughter-in-law were in Texas we often flew in and out of Love Field.  We never felt as though we weren’t safe when visiting there, but similarly, close to the airport there were 3 churches that we would pass with fences and chained gates.   

For the last week I have been thinking about the decision to fence a church. I thought about why we have a fenced in yard (to keep the dogs in). And what people in a church would be trying to keep out. It hasn’t been that long ago that Lincoln had a large number of church burglaries, with people stealing electronics, and cash. In some parts of the world, churches who have open disdain for others have been damaged with graffiti, or arson. But there are also hate groups, who damage unnecessarily those things that desire to spread love. And I wondered, how does that reflect God’s relationship with the world.  And how do we, as Christians work to share the message of God’s love. The God who asks us to bring all of our pain and sorrow and fear, for him to carry.  

As I considered all of this, I thought of The 5 Man Electric Band song – and wondered, what are we trying to accomplish?  Are we working to protect ourselves from the bad things? Selfishly restrict others from the good?  Preserve something that we have spent our earthly treasures to build up?  How does this match up with God’s goals for us?  

Prayer: Loving and compassionate God, I am so grateful to live in a place where churches are not wrapped up like prisons. Help me to share your word and your love. Help all Christians to remember that you are everywhere. Your love cannot be contained to a building or with a fence. Guide us to be a welcoming church for all people.  Amen. 
  
Christi Moock