Grace Community Christian Church

 

Archived Things Above

Anticipation in a Kleenex (2/1/03)

Not too long ago, on a Monday morning, I found a small, purse-size pack of Kleenex sitting on one of the chairs in the auditorium. It was opened, & a few were missing. I couldn't help but wonder, "Why would someone bring Kleenex to church?"

The obvious answers came to mind: Someone had a cold, & needed something to dab at their runny nose with. Or, maybe it belonged to some mother who would spit on it (like my mom used to do) & then clean the encrusted junk from around her kid's mouth. Or, maybe the sermon was extraordinarily bad, & it moved this poor soul to the point of tears. Or, maybe, I thought somewhat excitedly, just maybe it was anticipation.

Maybe this person actually expected God to move them somehow during the service, & they wanted to be ready to respond! That's not so farfetched, you know. I remember David Filsinger, pastor of the Nazarene church on Prince Edward Island, showing his fellow pastor buddies the brand new auditorium that had just been built on to his old building. Around the front stage area (called the chancel in some churches) was a railing, set back so people could kneel right up front. And about every ten feet across was a box of Kleenex.

He explained that it was common in his church for people to respond emotionally to the Spirit of God, that quite often he would have an "altar call", an opportunity for people to come up front & "do business" with God. Quite often, these moments were filled with tears- either of joy, or remorse - & the Kleenex was ready.

I remember thinking then, "Wow! He expects God to show up & do something! He expects people to respond to God! Isn't that cool?!" Now, realize, I'm not a hugely emotional person, & I tend to be a bit suspicious of people who are always boo-hooing to God in church services; the cynical side of me wonders if they're just showing off a bit? But I must confess, I've probably gone a bit too far to the cerebral side. Crying is incredibly Biblical! Just consider the following:

The Psalmist drenched his couch with tears (Ps. 6:5), & his tears were his food day & night (Ps. 42:3).

God kept a record of all David's tears (Ps. 56:8).

Job's eyes poured out tears to God (Job 16:20).

We're promised that those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy (Ps. 126:5).

God sees our tears (Isa. 38:5).

A woman washed Jesus' feet with her tears (Lk. 7:38).

The apostle Paul wrote with many tears (2Cor. 2:4).

Jesus' ministry on earth was characterized by tears (Heb. 5:7).

And of course, in Heaven, in one of the rare times God ever touches a human being, it is to wipe away a tear! (Rev. 21:4)

So bring on the Kleenex! Let's approach our gathering times with the expectation that God will touch us deeply, & we in turn will respond to Him openly & vulnerably.

"And I admit to living in hopeful anticipation . . . " (Acts 24:15, Msg)


Jim Dewar --