“What are you trying to tell me?”

Written by Zhey Chua |Posted on November 12, 2008 | Comments

…This was the question thrown at my face this afternoon when we distributed our bible study invitations/fliers around the neighborhood. I stood there as if I was momentarily rooted to the ground I was standing on, did I hear her right?

“What are you trying to tell me?!” she repeated, “We also have bible studies here, why are you inviting me to yours?”
“Yes, we know, we just want to invite you if you are not having one on Mondays. We are not trying to tell you anything aside from the fact that you are invited to our home for our bible studies,” I explained, “What days are you doing your bible studies?”
“We only have two days vacant” she responded.
“Ah, I see, what are those two days?”

“We are looking at filling those two days in as well.”
“Okay, what time is your bible study?”
This time, she was already looking at me like she wants to claw my eyes out of my face.
“Ma’am, I am asking because surely we could also find time to join your bible studies.”
“My husband is not here right now. I need to ask him first,” was the curt reply.

Okkkhaaaaayyyyy… I am sorry if I will be a bit brutally frank here, but doesn’t that clearly tell you (and me) that they are a selective group of so-called preachers? Smells fishy, doesn’t it? It made it all look like the Word of God is meant only for a few, special and elite group that there needs to be a screening first for those who wish to attend. Anyway, I know her reason for saying that, and it really has no relation in anyway to the bible studies or to the word of God.

Sadly, this woman was more than aghast to see our faces on her gate this afternoon handing out an invitation to her family to the bible studies we are having in our home because she feels that we are a threat to her church. Remember we mentioned that in this village, there is only one church around and that it is a full gospel church? This woman is that church’s pastor’s wife. According to some sources, she also is called “Pastora”, we have yet to confirm though if she really is taking on the role of a pastor. We have already heard a lot of negative things about this church, funny thing is that we don’t even investigate, the news just reaches us for some reason or another, rather randomly. Well, whatever, we really don’t care. In fact, we don’t even give their church much thought. We are here only to preach the Word of God, to spread the True Gospel, as ALL Christians are commissioned to do.

Now, having said that, I am surprised that this woman regards me and Warren as “rivals” or “threats” to their so-called ministry. If I was her and I know deep in my heart that I am a true Bible-believing Christian, I would embrace a brother or a sister who has arrived at my place to share a common task with me which is to do as I, and all Christians, are commanded to do. I would rejoice and glorify the Lord more for sending out people who share my beliefs and who are fever-pitch in passion for the Lord and Savior that I also serve.

But then again, what am I being surprised for?