While visiting some of our co-workers outside of the US, I had an experience this week that I assumed was similar to what I’ve had traveling in the States.
Woke up in the middle of the night to hear pounding on hotel room doors. Heard voices moving quickly up and down the hall. But couldn’t understand any words.
Got up and quickly checked to make sure that deadbolt lock was secure. Thought maybe someone was trying to break into the room of anyone foolish enough to open door.
The commotion and pounding on the doors continued until I recognized the voice of a co-worker. Opened the door to find the hallway filled with dark smoke and friend saying, “Quick there’s a fire. Grab your Passport. We have to get out!!”
Turned out to be a grease fire in the kitchen that was put out with a lot of mess but no major damage. We were moved to another part of the hotel and got back to sleep.
But have been thinking about how I misread the situation. There was no fire alarm or recognizable indication of fire. So, I was afraid of those pounding on the doors as they ran through smoke-filled halls trying to get guests out.
Have been wondering if that is some of what happens when others hear us talking and warning about the promised return of Christ.
Is it possible that they just hear frightening noise if they don’t also see credible indications of the love of God? Can we fault them for assuming the worst? Can we blame them for thinking that the noise is part of a scare-tactic to get their name, their money, or even their lives?
Could that even be what the Apostle Paul was getting at in his first letter to the Corinthians? (Chapter13) Was he giving us reason to think that, unless we are full of the grace and truth of Christ, we could be giving others reason to check their deadbolts– rather than following us to safety?
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