Yesterday, I was sitting in the balcony as people began coming in for the Sunday worship service. I saw an older man come in and hug two boys who need encouragement and love from a male role-model. There was joy on their faces, and his. Then a younger man snuck up behind a teenage girl and playfully startled her. I appreciate a good scare. I'm not sure this one counted as one, but I liked his effort. As I moved down to the floor toward the front stage, I looked back, and an older man and woman were dancing together to the worship music that was playing, like this was completely normal, right in the middle of a group of others coming in...I don't take time to watch the people each Sunday as they come in for worship, but on this particular day I was thankful I did. It reminded me that God is doing something wonderful among regular people, who love Jesus, and call themselves Caz Church. This particular group of people would have never been brought together in any one place at the same time, except by the grace of God. The thing that draws us to one another is Jesus, and He is leading us from what we were to what we will be...Currently, we are not buttoned up. We're a bit messy. I would say that a good number of the folks are not well-practiced at hiding their problems (or their personalities). They are who they are, and it's colorful, and it's beautiful, as seen from the right lens. We are not a tightly run organization, for better or worse, with catch-phrases and slogans. Paid professionals don't lead all of our ministries. Gifted volunteers, who believe the truth of God's Word, drive most of what gets done, to the glory of God. We're a simple, loving group of people that Jesus has brought together to teach the Gospel, and pray, and serve in the city of Buffalo. There's a great deal that we (and me especially) could do better, but whatever we are that's good, and pure, and admirable, and holy, has come directly from the hand of the Lord. I thank God for the people here, and pray that He will bring more, as He calls them from out of the world into gatherings like ours; and I'm thankful He gave me a few minutes to slow down on a Sunday morning and take note of His love that is in the midst of these people in South Buffalo. It was a gift of His grace and kindness, and it was just what I needed.
