If you've read Losing My Religion Part 1 and 2 you'll understand that I believe a true spirituality centered upon Jesus Christ exists, and is sometimes overshadowed by the organized Christian religion. On the other hand I think this Jesus Society can never be hidden, much less destroyed by those who simply want to follow a list of rules. The graciousness, patience and courage of those who know Jesus always surpasses that of the most pious snob.
Religious people are always caged by their own standards, but they don't need to cage you too. It's time to just accept the fact that they exist and move on. Let me tell you a story that may illustrate this better.
When I was a young boy I visited an old church in Three Hills, Alberta. It had a peculiar smell, like a mix of old wooden pews, brass offering plates and stale choir robes. I was sitting there probably wondering how many verses there really were to Amazing Grace when I felt a tap on my shoulder. When I turned around something happened that created in my little heart a strange mix of honor and disappointment- an elderly gentleman with a kind face gave me a nickel. I was honored because I knew at that moment I had become part of a special Hallmark moment. I was disappointed because my parents were in Amway. I knew the value of a nickel and by gosh I couldn’t even play one videogame at the local bowling alley with that! Honor eventually won though, and I turned that shiny nickel over and over in my little fingers.
Then my little fingers dropped it.
Now, you have to understand something about this old church. It was a cavernous building filled at that time only a quarter full, and had a concrete floor that sloped from the back at least five million feet down to the front. That nickel hit that floor and rolled and rolled and rolled all the way down to somewhere from whence it never returned, protesting loudly about its fate all the way.
The next thing I know, that old gentleman leaned over and gave me another nickel! By this time I thought I was completely humbled. But I wasn't. Not until I dropped the second nickel.
Yes, now there were two nickels down at the altar where before there had only been one. And then came one of the most defining religious moments of my young life.
I was so drawn to this old man’s kindness that I actually turned around to face him, hoping for one more nickel- the Third Nickel that I would guard with my very life. The nickel that I would save in an account with compound interest or invest until I could afford to by an orphanage. Later in life I could come back to Three Hills and visit that old man and tell him what a difference he and the Third Nickel had made in my life.
That old gentleman sat there stone faced not even acknowledging my presence. I all of a sudden did not exist. I’m a young man with a family now, but I’ve not forgotten the look on that man’s face. It’s all I’ve ever needed to know about religion. It only goes so far. When you've gone too far out of bounds you'll find yourself in no-man's land with no map and no guide and no canteen.
Jesus would have done one of two things, I think. He would have either had another nickel to give me (maybe), or He would’ve taken my hand when the church service was over and we'd have walked the long steps to the front of the church, and searched for those two lost nickels together (more likely). Maybe He would’ve done both! Then I’d have had three nickels- enough to give one to my brother and sister if I so desired.
Honestly, I’m aware that perhaps that kind old gentleman may not have had any more nickels, and he had already been more than generous. That’s not the point. The point is that the grace of Jesus keeps going and going and never stops, and neither do the members of His family.
Have you ever been mysteriously drawn to Jesus, but His people keep getting in the way? Don't give up. There are Three-Nickel People out there. They can help you find this Jesus. And when you find Jesus you'll find your nickels too... and some other things you may not have even known were missing.
