First Baptist Church Of Memphis

You don’t have to be a science fiction fan to be familiar with the word “re-entry,” but it helps. No matter the movie, it almost always involves some journey elsewhere, and then a return journey home which involves re-entry. But even those of us who don’t watch such movies remember much of this from the NASA space missions. And one of the things that is almost always true is that “re-entry” is probably the most difficult part of the journey. Space craft re-entering our atmosphere have to do so with great caution for fear of literally burning up. Innumerable objects, satellites and space ships included, can endure the journey out, and drift aimlessly for years in space quite easily, yet cannot stand the stress of re-entry.

Even a journey within our atmosphere will reveal a similar reality. Pilots will be quick to tell you that touchdown is the place where the most things can go wrong. Takeoff is easy, re-entry, settling back down on mother earth where God has planted us, can be hard.

The same is true in relationships. We can see this on a microcosmic scale even with summer vacations. Come the beginning of summer, we’re tired. We’re burned out. We’re ready for a break. And so, as soon as we are able, we launch out with all the eagerness of a rocket. And while some part of us is eventually eager to return to our own bed, coming back home, re-entry, can be difficult. Maybe we left with some task not fully done. Maybe the journey changed us and we’re not quite sure how to be true to that change in the same old environment. And yet re-entry is important. This is the ground, community, church where God has planted us, so we need re-enter and do so with care, while showing care and concern for those around us who are likewise re-entering.

But I’ve had several conversations lately with folks who have been away, at least from the church, for more than just a summer. They’ve been away for years. They left for all sorts of reasons---they were tired, they were bored, they were hurt, they were seeking adventure. And so they blasted off, never dreaming they might one day find their way back. But here they are, seeking re-entry. This is hard enough, on its own, but when they encounter a community filled with folks like many of us, who have never left, it can be rather intimidating. So I ask you first of all, to be kind, to be sensitive to folks seeking to re-enter the church. Most of the time, they need to do so at a measured pace and with gentle, but consistent support.

But also be aware of those around you. Many of those not attending church now, did so at one time. And they left for who knows how many different reasons. But now, they might be interested in coming back. Might be interested in coming, if only someone would show some interest in their coming, and aid them, journey with them, through re-entry. Might that person be you, be me? God give us eyes to see.

Grace,

David