The White Church
This past weekend I had the pleasure of visiting family and friends in Jacksonville, Florida. As I grow in my spiritual walk, one thing I promised myself is to always attend Sunday morning church services regardless of what city I am in. In the past, if I were out-of-town and away from my home church, that was considered an “off” Sunday. I asked my aunt if I could attend church with her the next morning she paused and said “You are more than welcome but I must caution you it is not what you are accustomed to, it’s a predominately white congregation.” I immediately responded that “the word is the word” so I was good.
I am currently a member of a mega church in Atlanta with a predominately black congregation and every other church that I have visited had the same racial makeup. Although I was comfortable in this new setting, I must admit that I wasn’t sure what our reception would be.
After parking and heading to the church entrance we were immediately approached by a number of church members with warm smiles and genuine good mornings. Upon entering the church, we were approached by an elderly gentleman whose job was to pass out peppermint to every parishioner and another elderly white gentleman who grabs me in a bear hug and tells me welcome and that GOD loves me.
As we entered our Sunday School Class, we once again were greeted with warm smiles and genuine good mornings. Throughout the lesson for the morning, I felt very much at home and I could feel GOD’s anointing on the teacher. Have you ever been in church and felt as if the GOD was speaking directly to you? Or that the message was tailor-made for you? That is exactly how I felt.
The sermon was clearly delivered and right on point. As I looked around, I saw husbands and fathers that looked just like me. Men who were there just like I was to learn how to be better leaders of our families and to be better husbands for our wives. Men and women who were looking to be better Christians. At that point I saw no difference.
As we left church, I felt an overwhelming sense of love and brotherhood. One thing about GOD’s Love is that it is universal.
