The visitor entered a large, crowded room. Only two empty chairs remained, one next to the other, in the middle of a long row just in front of the stage. Careful not to step on any toes or fall into unsuspecting laps, the visitor reached the first chair and sat down.

 

The person to the left looked up and gave a quick nod, then stared at the floor. The visitor thought of asking if everything was all right, but decided against it. "I shouldn't be a bother. Besides, the speaker will begin soon." But the speaker did not begin soon.

 

On the stage, a large throne faced the crowd. But no one was there. "Probably for the speaker," the visitor mumbled. Time passed, yet the crowd seemed oblivious to the speaker's absence. Finally the room darkened. A spotlight caught the edge of the stage. Someone walked into the light and spoke.

 

"What is our concern?" The crowd rose. Only the visitor and the one staring at the floor remained seated. All eyes turned in their direction, but their gaze fell on the empty chair next to the visitor.

 

Over the years I've spoken at a number of churches. In many I noticed something that stirred my spirit, and not in a good way. The churches had become specialized. They were locked onto one area of ministry to the exclusion of any other.

 

Their singular focus may have been on the youth, foreign missions, music or senior adults. One church was consumed with sports; another with a passion play. And while this may sound a little strange, more than a few focused exclusively on evangelism. Odd. God doesn't tell us to do that.

 

In the story above, the crowd could see only the empty chair. They overlooked the visitor and the one staring at the floor. Their needs were of no importance to the crowd, who neither welcomed the visitor nor comforted the other.

 

In the hours just before Jesus was arrested, He looked at His friends and shared something very important. The one who obeys me is the one who loves me. I give you a new command---Love one another, in the same way I have loved you. (see John 14:21, 34) How did Jesus love?

 

He proclaimed the Kingdom of God and shared the Good News. He led the lost to salvation. He comforted the sick and the grieving. He encouraged the young and the old. He showed them what it means to follow God---finding importance, potential, and possibilities in the lives of others, building them up, and guiding them in their walk with the Father. He was master, teacher, savior and friend.

 

At 12Stone Church, we look at those chairs differently. Seeing the empty chair, we remember those who are not saved as well as those who have wandered from the Church. We reach out to them and pray for them in the hope they will join our assembly and experience God's love, joy and peace.

 

But we do not forget the chairs filled with those who are hurting, lonely, sick, and in need. We reach out to them, too---encouraging them, building them up, standing with them in their troubles. And we do not ignore our own chairs...for we also need the comfort and encouragement of God and His people as we continue each day to follow the path He has set before us.

 

So what is the message here? Simply this. Love one another. Do not put one above the other. Reach out. Reach in. Allow others to reach you. For we are called to be One Family, brothers and sisters in Christ, the children of God, and a light for those seeking Him. It's never too late to start.