Bob Goff uses an image in his book, Love Does of what Christians roles should be in this world and the kingdom of God. He says that we are to be ushers, not bouncers. I find this image so compelling.
The majority of the frustration I have felt with Christianity is because I think a large number of us (myself included) have bought into the lie that somehow God needs us to protect him from the sin of the world. We think, “No, no, God is too good and pure and holy. He cannot be seen too close to or seen as accepting our gross messiness and sin.”
As if God did not already take on and enter into the mess and do all that needed to be done precisely so that it could not separate us from Him. What a tragedy that we think we need to maintain the separation when the curtain was torn 2,000 years ago when Jesus died on the cross so that there would be no more need for it (Matthew 27:50-54).
When We Act as Bouncers
When we adopt the idea that our role in God’s kingdom is that of a bouncer- making sure only those on the guest list get in the doors, only the best people, actively keeping those we deem unfit out, we sin. First, we have adopted an extremely narrow view of who God is and second, we have taken on a role that was never ours and that we are guaranteed to fail at. This bouncer role will only serve to make us hard, jaded and hell-bent on judging others, something Jesus specifically told us not to do.
We need to ask ourselves this: is our view of God so small that we really believe that He needs our protection in order to accomplish the restoration of HIS people and HIS world? Yes, I do believe God calls us all to participate in what He is doing to bring the kingdom of God into this world, but taking on the role of a bouncer, when God has already invited EVERYONE in on his wild love and grace is not helpful or needed in the slightest.
We waste precious time when we try to figure out who is in and who is out when what we should be spending our time on is loving people well and pointing them to a God that can love them even better.
When We Act as Ushers
Rather, the role of an usher is what God calls us into. I believe that God has placed a call on the heart of every human being to know Him and to love Him. Yes, some will reject the invitation, but each one that accepts it deserves their very own celebratory dance party!
It is our job to declare the goodness and openness of God, to fling the doors wide open and invite enthusiastically. There is more room! Come in! Join! Let me walk with you and help you find your spot in this beautiful celebration of who God is and what he is doing in the world!
Why would we want any other role than that? Why do we hurt and harm our brothers and sisters by questioning their worthiness to enter into God’s family when it was never, ever, about worth? We miss the entire point of the gospel message when we take on the role of a bouncer, over what we are truly called to- inviting, serving, ushering and celebrating with all who come to join the celebration. It is even our role to go out into the streets declaring that there is more room (Luke 14:21-23)! We are grieved by the empty seats. Come!
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