The wind came rushing into the abandoned room, blowing the dusty sheer curtains almost parallel with the ceiling. As the curtains whipped against the framework of the room, dust was loosened from all of its hiding and resting places creating a literal filth snow storm within the atmosphere of the once dedicated space.
Within the vertical and horizontal wisps of the awakened particle dance and dust air painting, you could almost see the images of the past trying to resurrect within the ache of the missing passion that once filled that holy place with its vivid connection with Eternity. They met Jesus there, didn't they? Why is it in such abandon and dilapidation today?
I ache when I see old boarded up, disintegrating church buildings ... I even have stopped to cry and pray for this corner of the Kingdom. Was "Ichabod" written here - "The Glory is departed!"
- - Could it had been kept clean and tidy, but never really dedicated to the rescue of the outcasts, the broken, the lame, the maimed, the blind, the lepers and outcasts ... Sinners?
- - Could there have been open or secret immortality within the leadership that deteriorated the foundation?
- - Could there have been a growing and public despising of the sacrifices of God, because there was a forceful, selfish, grabbing of the sacrifices by those ministering ... while the sacrifices were still raw on the alter?
- - Could there have been an aging, sad and lonely vision-less congregation who believed that a new birth revival was no longer an option?
- - Could it have been abandoned for a larger growing vision? Hopefully.
Mark 5:1,2 - "And they came over unto the other side of the sea, into the Country of the Gadarenes. And when He, Jesus, was come out of the ship, immediately there met Him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit."
With a place with a name like Gadara, meaning "a reward at the end" who would think it would be a place where one would be found out of his mind and beyond help (like Las Vegas???) ... Known as the uncontrollable and uncontainable Maniac, he was all but gone, cutting himself and crying away ...night and day in the tombs. Uncontrolled by human captures, but controlled by a multitude of Demons: insomuch that when Jesus asked the spirit what was his name ... They answered "My name is Legion: for we are many."
(Now don't get too offended) In the safety of our lip service "churches without walls" - there is no place for this type of individual; who best be kept outside the walls (that are not there?) The typical dress up, sit up, fess up, sing up and "be blessed" churches, do not have either the latitude nor the longitude for this type of Risk. In fact, the latest risk assessment plans profile the Derelict as "off limits".
Think about it: there was no way to bring him in - we have no "rope and chain force" in "the crazies" ministries. And "all" within the walls would be at risk of harm. We would simply be safer and happier with putting ropes around the tombs and keeping him there. We have no vision for this unstable element of society... Trust me, if you were to rush him into the typical sanctuary, all Hell would break loose because of the acute change needed to fit in our typical Christian sub-culture.
HEY let's face it - the Church is filled with people who are basically OK, or who are now ok because they were given the chance to experience the fullness of the Sacrifice of Jesus. Somewhere, "the Derelicts" had met "Jesus"; and the followers of Christ (who were wise enough) gave them time and familiar space to testify of the "God-Change" that was gifted them from Above.
What vision process was given to this man, Legion, whose life was ransacked by Hell?
- - Jesus unchained him from his demonic influence... This was God's Compassionate Miracle!
- - He and His followers - clothed him, calmed him and taught him.
- - Though his desire was to join in the subculture that was following Jesus... so "that he might be with Him": "Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but said unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee." Mark 5:19.
Take note Church ... In the heart of a "Saved Derelict" is the seed for a ministry, but probably not to your design expectations, nor under your nearsighted leadership, nor in your "success-limited" time allotment, and probably not in your "well purposed" worship space ...
In fact, if you think that you can control this kind of movement of the Spirit, you have no clue of the grief that may take place ... that could begin to derelict you if you have not prepared your heart for "failings and fallings".
Take heart: "And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel." Mark 5:20
Calling all Derelict Encouragers - Give God the Glory!!
HLFA,
Jeff
Encouragers -- Read 2 Corinthians 4: 1- 8,9,10 - 18