Perspective Changes Everything

Perspective changes everything, doesn’t it?

Sometimes all that’s needed is to look at an idea from the perspective of someone else, or to actually hear the perspective of the other person, to help us see that we might be a little off-base.

On this blog we’ve covered topics of assimilation and how to treat first time guests. Occasionally we get some comments from people that have been guests at churches and have been treated badly. There’s nothing like reading something like that to make me re-evaluate my priorities.

Well, my friend Jonathan Peinado, a pastor, recently sent me a poem that a first-time guest wrote and sent to him after being treated badly for wearing a hat in church. I think it provides some powerful lessons. Check it out:

Come As You Are

Church is a place where I can go,

to seek salvation for my soul.

A church should welcome everyone,

regardless of the things they’ve done.

Judge me not, by my long hair,

or the tattered clothes I wear.

I come here, seeking the truth,

which makes me no different, than you.

You don’t know my, situation,

or the things, I’ve overcome.

My life has been tumultuous,

but my Savior died for all of us.

I have come, to understand,

I will never be, a perfect man.

and any man, who claims to be,

is caught up in their vanity.

My church had communion last week,

and a man that sat across from me,

mouthed the words, “take off your hat”,

in judgment, of me he sat.

I thought of never coming back

because, of his unfair attack.

But this man has, faults of his own

therefore, should not be throwing stones.

I came to church, to give my praise,

but left there feeling quite ashamed.

Embarrassed, by the clothes I wore,

but should it matter, I implore?

Come one, come all, come as you are.

Walk, or bike, or take a car.

Judge, no one for what they wear,

just welcome them, because they’re there.

Wow. What are your thoughts?

[image by twiga269]