I Knew it was Coming...

Most of you who are regular readers know that I’m participating (competing is too strong a word at this point) in a race walking half-marathon in March. What many people didn’t know is that it takes place on a Sunday morning…and that it is sponsored by a beer brewery. That may not seem like a big deal, but for at least one person in my community (not a member of my church, thank goodness) it is.

Actually, he is a lot like me. I grew up in a religiously ultra-conservative, very legalistic environment. Certain activities were “bad”, like drinking, smoking and dancing. The people who participated in these activities were “bad people” and we were taught that if we were involved in such practices, or affiliated with such people, we were “bad” (not in a good sense), too. Guilty by association.

We weren’t allowed to be in the swimming pool the same time the girls were—no “mixed swimming”—lest we lust. The guys were even taught a little chant to reinforce the lesson: “We don’t smoke, drink, dance or chew…and we don’t go with girls who do.” I’m dead serious. That’s the way I was raised. It has taken years to un-do some of the damage that kind of legalism, and judgmental attitudes that often accompany it, produces.

So, I knew it was coming. The backlash. When word got around (and it does so quickly where I live) that the pastor is playing hookie from church to be in a race…on a Sunday…that’s sponsored by a beer company—for at least one neighbor it is nothing short of scandalous.

Never mind that I’ll be “in church” later in the day. Never mind that I’m not drinking beer—although I may be tempted to throw back a few cold ones after the event is over :) Never mind that a good portion of the entry fee is going to support some worthwhile charities…

So I’m sitting here in my old WWJD (What Would Jesus Do?) T-shirt trying to figure out how to respond to some of the judgmental condemnation I received recently from one who was less that thrilled about my extra-curricular activities. Currently I’m deciding to take the passive-aggressive route of blogging—the sit-down meeting will come later.

A few things I’ve learned:
¨ The people in the smoking section are not all “bad” people.
¨ Some of the “bad” people aren’t in bars, some are pillars in the church.
¨ Jesus would probably be hanging out where people gather, seeking to make new friends and influence their thinking in God’s direction.

So on a Sunday in March I’ll be hanging out with 10,000 of my closest friends, some of whom will no doubt have too much to drink before the day is over. Hopefully I’ll survive the physical test, make some new acquaintances and have a few conversations about spiritual matters. Later that day I’ll go to church and repent.

I’ll repent of not spending more time in the pool halls and the local bars making new friends and hearing their stories. I’ll repent of not spending more time sitting in the smoking section. I’ll repent of wasting so much time being religious rather than relevant. I’ll repent of wasting so much time not loving people the way Jesus does.