Sunday, November 7, 2010

Building Waits For God's People

"Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves."

-- Matthew 21:12

There's a church building near where I live. It has been a church forever it seems. Different denominations have worshipped there but its been a church just the same. Then Satan got hold of someone -- so the story goes -- and the person responsible for paying the mortgage didn't pay it. The church was evicted and the building was sold.

The man who purchased the building had visions of money. He told me so. He planned to start an auction, open a restaurant, have antique shops. It was a grand dream. He started with yard sale vendors in the parking lot most days, including some Sundays. Then he started the auction.

I went with a neighbor one night. I love auctions and I wanted to give it a try. The pews were filled with people. The auctioneer stood where a preacher once proclaimed God's name. The alter and choir areas contained tables loaded with items to be sold. We left fairly soon, refusing to even register for a number. My mind knew it was no longer a church. My heart screamed in protest at what was being done to God's house.

I asked around the neighborhood and found that others felt the same way when they visited the auction. One woman admitted she'd actually purchased an item. She told me she'd spent the following week looking over her shoulder. She dreamed of Jesus and the money changers. She never went back.

The auction is closed now. The yard sale tables no longer pop up. A For Sale sign sits forlornly out by the highway. I spoke with a church group Saturday. They were hosting a yard sale to raise money for their small church. They don't have a permanent home and must rent space in a local building for Sunday worship service. I mentioned the vacant church building. They'd already checked in to it. The owner, it seems, still has visions of money. The group felt he wanted way more than the ragged building is worth. We all agreed to pray about it.

What is a vacant church building worth? It depends, I suppose, on what you believe. God's presence lives in that building. I can't describe it any other way. The people may have left, but God didn't. That makes the building priceless.

I believe with everything I have that someday another church family will find a way to make it a home. I don't know who it will be or how it will happen. I just know that God can raise up all things, including a once vibrant building that waits to once again hear people sing God's praises.