New Walls

Today, at work, I was thinking about the church of Christ. No, not the denomination, but the church- the body of Christ. I got to thinking about the way people are. They are so different from each other. The word "individual" does not even begin to describe the way the Lord has carefully crafted each of us. It is amazing. Truly beautiful. Anyway, being so different from each other is a gift.
The way we each operate. The way we each think, feel, and speak. The way each of us is passionate about something else. The way each of us is dedicated to something specifically for us. Take one of my best friends, Bryn. She wants to be fluent in Spanish. She has an amazing gift when it comes to the camera. She loves to paint and draw. And I know she can dance prophetically. I, on the other hand, do enjoy linguistics, but I do not desire to be fluent in Spanish. I just want to be able to speak with my grandparents. ;) I cannot take a picture to save my life. Well, I know what button to hit usually. Painting and drawing are my venting. They are my outlet, so they rarely look presentable. Okay, so this was a really bad example, but I think it proves my point that we are different. And I love that the two of us are so! I think we would get bored if we were exactly the same. I think the Lord would too! (I love you Bryn!)
Back to what I was saying, people are so different. That means that we learn differently. Some people have to make the same mistake several times before they understand that they should not do whatever it was they were doing. Some people understand after the first mistake. There are other people who do not want to make a mistake. Who hate discipline. I am hoping you are beginning to see what I am getting at...
There are so many different people in the world. There are artists, writers, jocks, brainiacs, jokesters, etc. They do not all learn the same way. Artists learn by doing. Put a paintbrush in their hand AND explain the different strokes. Give a writer a word and they will go a million miles. Jocks understand..whatever it is they understand. They understand the plays; the Hail Mary's, the Blue 52s, and all the other ones. They call you out when you foot touches the basketball court line. Artists and writers have no idea what a Hail Mary is. (Unless they research it. And I am talking about "strict" artists, writers and jocks.)
If you are, or ever were a teacher, professor, or instructor of any kind, you know what I am saying. You comprehend it more than I even do.
This being said: why do we expect everyone to get what we are trying to tell them inside the church? Why do we use the same tactics on trying to get unbelievers inside the doors?
I do not know about your church, but mine is extremely diverse. We have theater majors, music majors, business men and women, house moms and homeschool students. We have teachers, directors of non profit organizations, engineers, construction workers. We have it all. We have a very diverse body.
Now here is what I am wondering: why does the diverse body not reach out in different ways? Why do the theater majors not put on plays. Do you know how powerful it is to SEE the story of Christ? Why do the music people not put on a show. Play your instrument and use that voice God blessed you with! I LOVE HEARING passion. It gives me the shivers. :) Why do we simply say "Yay community!" Why do we not say "Today, my community is doing..."? Things like this bring people together and it gives the body of Christ a new way to reach out and grab hold of those who are seeking.
Lord let us be Your creative hands and feet! Let the dancers arise. The bold who are not afraid to lift Your name. Lord let us be unashamed of the Gospel of Christ. Let us think of new ways to reach every tribe and tongue.