By: Payton M. Ishmael
I know they say you shouldn’t mix your personal and professional lives, for this though, I feel it necessary to make an exception. A while back, I went on a date. I looked forward to this time for several days, but all of my anticipation and excitement quickly dwindled when the evening finally arrived. I have a healthy self-esteem, and a great deal of self-respect. That being said, I require at least an equivalent of that amount of respect from any ‘gentleman’ I spend time with.
When we arrived, my date quickly forgot that I was present. In fact, I’m pretty sure that my existence was overlooked. Done, done, and done. A behavior lacking manners is not one I choose to associate with. The poor jerk had committed date-homicide. He noticed everyone and everything the entire evening except for me, and I was his date after all.
Sitting in church last Sunday night, the memory kept coming to the forefront of my mind and I simply couldn’t figure out why. It suddenly dawned on me. I come to church every week (most weeks anyway). My thought process is consumed; “I hope the teenagers are getting something from the Sunday school lesson. Did I remember to proofread the newsletter before I sent it to be printed? I love talking to people before church starts.”
It seems I’m guilty of neglecting my own date, my own purpose, my own reason for attending week after week. As Poppy/Brother Ishmael encouraged us to truly worship, not just go through the motions, I instantly knew that the thought meant something. Our experience when we enter this place of worship should have one sole and solitary purpose. All attention should be paid Him. He should be properly introduced to all who enter. Most of all, He should know that He is loved, admired, respected, held in esteem.
Gentlemen, I hope you’ve learned two lessons today.
(Written for House of Prayer newsletter)
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