Don't forget your job

Romans 7:19 (ESV)

For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing.

Several years ago, the London Transit Authority had a problem.

Customers were complaining their bus wasn't stopping to pick them up. When they were questioned, the passengers all were sure they had been in the right place and they had been there at the right time. In spite of their prompt presence, their bus just flew on by.

The LTA investigated the claims.

After some serious evaluations they had to admit the passengers were indeed telling the truth. They were at the right spot at the right time.

But ... you're going to love this.

The London Transit Authority explained to all the irate non-riders: "It is impossible for the bus drivers to stay on schedule if they are always having to stop and pick up passengers."

Told you, you wouldn't believe it. The LTA and the drivers had all forgotten that getting people from here to there was their first job. Schedules, although important, were inconsequential unless passengers were being delivered.

There are times when I've seen churches and congregations like that. They were so involved with owning this, and building that, and procuring something else that they forgot the first purpose of the church is to help move people from here to there.

If we aren't helping move souls from hell to heaven -- from lost to saved -- if we're not moving them from not knowing Jesus to receiving Him as Savior, we are forgetting our purpose. And we are hardly worthy of the name "Christian church."

On the other hand, I've seen congregations -- some financially challenged congregations -- do some pretty amazing things in the Lord. Keeping their eyes fixed on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of the faith, they did everything they could to share the word: Jesus Christ lives and because He lives, we shall also live.

Do your best to make sure your church hasn't forgotten its job of moving people from here to there.

Dear Lord, You have instructed us to do what we can to share Your story of salvation. We pray that we would focus on the task You have given to each of us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.