Can I have an AMEN!
I got kicked out of a bible study once!
We had been meeting in a friend’s home for a number of weeks. I was having fun. The study of the word is supposed to be joyous!
I guess I went too far.
That last night we were given work sheets with questions to answer. We were told we could use our cell phones for research.
The leader was raised in the church but never ‘got it’ until his third DUI. Then he saw the light and was born again. The rest of the group was baby Christians. Meaning they had only been Christians a short time. Most of us, in the group, were also members of AA.
Furthermore, the group was kind of stiff. Serious, grateful, a touch self rightous, and a bit judgemental. No one is so quick to speak out against sin, as the newly reformed.
It was like playing to a room of straightmen. I joked, made puns, tried to lighten things up a bit.
From the work sheet;
Name 10 things about Moses.
- He was the first basket case
- He refused to ask for directions
- He grew up to look like a gentile: Charlton Heston.
And so on. Just having a bit of fun.
At home my friend shoots me a bunch of texts.
“Maybe you should think about leaving the class. You don’t seem to take it seriously. You are always on your cell phone. The others have noticed and are complaining.
Me: I turn it off once we start.
Him: Not tonight, you had it on all night.
Me: I was doing research, you said it was ok.
Him: You are always on it when you get here, talking with your sponsees. Maybe you should just stay home and talk to them.
Me: They need help. Look I am sorry I will turn it off before I walk in your door.
Him: I think you should concider leaving the group.
Me: (after a long pause) okay, I quit.
Him: I repect your decision.
Later, one of the guys in the group said he missed me but, he guessed I had other things to do. I swallowed back my saddness and walked away.
That hurts, I did not even get to tell my side.
We Christians can sure be unchristian to our fellow Christians.
Later, a friend said he would not have enjoyed setting up and preparing lessons for people who did not take it seriously.
Just because I make a joke, doesn’t mean I ain’t serious! I swallowed that back as well. My friend was right. But, I ain’t apologizing to ‘Him’! He can keep his little band of judgemental baby theologians. Maybe they can find a soldier’s funeral to protest.
Thanks for letting me vent.
