Wild Idea

This week I got a summons from the Upshur County Courts to report for Jury duty. It’s my first in this County, and probably my last. I thought about going, but decided that I had too many brush piles to burn, and too many briars to cut, and I might want to take a trip somewhere about the time I got stuck on some long trial. I took the opportunity to “opt out.” One can when one is OLD!

But!!! Here’s an idea. Why don’t we pass a law that every person eligible to serve on Jury duty can be summoned to attend Church once in a while. Who knows? Maybe they will like it. Maybe they will discover that the “hypocrites” who populate the local congregation are mostly very nice, gentle, wonderful, people who will care about you, be kind to you, sometimes feed you magnificent feasts, and perhaps, in some Churches, learn to llove you. One might even come to faith in Christ, end years of wasted living, gain an eternal home in the presence of God, and discover power for everyday living, peace in the storms of life, and joy in the activities (like work) that often make us miserable.

Getting people to come AND TRY IT OUT (Church) is difficult these days. Everyone is too busy, or too tired, or sure it is the most unfriendly, miserable place on Earth. But for many of us, it is life, and light, and wonder, and joy, and power, and peace, and incredible friendships, and. . .well, you really have to find it for what it is to know you receive what you need. You may discover that you can give up what you cannot keep to gain what you cannot lose.

I know, I am whistling in the wind. But at the very least, even though I am old enough to avoid Jury duty, I have found the comfort and joy of God’s people consistently around me. That is one of God’s greatest gifts.