I was at MD Anderson Cancer center earlier this week. I had some tests and a visit with my doctor, plus I got to see some people that I wanted to see but was sure I would not be able to visit.
On the second floor of the main building (the picture is the main building one of several that make up the complex) there is a large atrium named “the Park.” It is in an L shape. It has ceilings at least three stories high with large translucent skylights. There are large planters throughout with trees, flowers, and shrubs. There is a “café” where one can purchase coffee, soft drinks, smoothies, and a hot or cold meal. Tables and chairs are everywhere.
Tuesday afternoon I went over to get a smoothie for lunch. I was going to spend some time in the Word and do some other work. I was waiting for my mango kale vegan smoothie; a boy about 12 walked by, his left arm was gone. In line to get their lunch or something to drink were one or two people pulling their IV trees with several bags hanging. Off to my right there were several people some walking some sitting at tables with their care givers, with several bags hanging. One man was in a hospital gown laying on his crossed arms at his table, IV tree behind him, obviously not feeling well.
Monday afternoon while I was waiting for my turn in the CT scanner, a woman came in with her care giver, she was in obvious distress. She was moaning, holding her head, could barely get from her wheelchair to a chair. She was obviously nauseated. A close member of my family is still a patient there. They have been going through what this lady has been experiencing for the past 10 months. My father passed away at MDA in January after a 4-year battle with cancer.
So being there is a reminder…
Sitting in the park, drinking my smoothie, every direction, nearly everyone in sight was in obvious brokenness. It was all around. Inescapable. As I pondered this it occurred to me that it is the same at church. The difference is, at church it is dressed up, covered up. Instead of moaning and IV trees; smiles, coffee, and everyone is “fine”.
I shared this with a friend Thursday. He observed that the people that go to MDA are going for a cure, while those who go to church are going for a shot. Most who make the trek to Houston – and they come, literally, from all over the world – are coming committed to do whatever the doctors say. I am not sure that – yeah, I am sure, that not all that come to the church are committed at the same level.
I am still processing this. I do not have solid answers, not even sure that I have the right questions. However, the seed thought is that we are doing something wrong about the brokenness in our communities. We are not good at acknowledging the reality of the cancer of sin and the brokenness it creates in our communities. Canned programs and mass-produced curriculum doesn’t seem to be making that much of a difference.
Where is the passion to cure and to want a cure? Why aren’t people flocking to the Church from around the world in desperation? Why don’t they know that the answer, the cure is in Him?
Tuesday afternoon I went over to get a smoothie for lunch. I was going to spend some time in the Word and do some other work. I was waiting for my mango kale vegan smoothie; a boy about 12 walked by, his left arm was gone. In line to get their lunch or something to drink were one or two people pulling their IV trees with several bags hanging. Off to my right there were several people some walking some sitting at tables with their care givers, with several bags hanging. One man was in a hospital gown laying on his crossed arms at his table, IV tree behind him, obviously not feeling well.
Monday afternoon while I was waiting for my turn in the CT scanner, a woman came in with her care giver, she was in obvious distress. She was moaning, holding her head, could barely get from her wheelchair to a chair. She was obviously nauseated. A close member of my family is still a patient there. They have been going through what this lady has been experiencing for the past 10 months. My father passed away at MDA in January after a 4-year battle with cancer.
So being there is a reminder…
Sitting in the park, drinking my smoothie, every direction, nearly everyone in sight was in obvious brokenness. It was all around. Inescapable. As I pondered this it occurred to me that it is the same at church. The difference is, at church it is dressed up, covered up. Instead of moaning and IV trees; smiles, coffee, and everyone is “fine”.
I shared this with a friend Thursday. He observed that the people that go to MDA are going for a cure, while those who go to church are going for a shot. Most who make the trek to Houston – and they come, literally, from all over the world – are coming committed to do whatever the doctors say. I am not sure that – yeah, I am sure, that not all that come to the church are committed at the same level.
I am still processing this. I do not have solid answers, not even sure that I have the right questions. However, the seed thought is that we are doing something wrong about the brokenness in our communities. We are not good at acknowledging the reality of the cancer of sin and the brokenness it creates in our communities. Canned programs and mass-produced curriculum doesn’t seem to be making that much of a difference.
Where is the passion to cure and to want a cure? Why aren’t people flocking to the Church from around the world in desperation? Why don’t they know that the answer, the cure is in Him?
Thanks for sharing. I could not agree more that the brokenness is not really encouraged at church. Honest relationships are tough to find and practice. At least Christ lives and practices honesty with us if we allow Him to live in our core.
ReplyDeleteYes, you are right, absolutely. But, don't we have to listen? This world, this culture, this time, is described by Mark 4:18 - 19, don't you think?
ReplyDeleteFew are taking time to shut out the noise of life and listen. To do what Christ says is an essential to hearing that honesty of which you speak, abide, rest, continue, be still in His Word and in Him (John 8:31 - 32, John 15:5).