Andy Griffith and the world

Every so often, as I am "channel surfing" I will land on the Andy Griffith show and watch an episode. 

Nothing will brighten up my day more than Andy solving one of the world's problems in his calm, rational, serene way.

In one episode, Andy, (as the sheriff of Mayberry) is out of town.  His deputy, Barney Fife, is in charge, and he has deputized the local mechanic who is named Gomer (Jim Nabors). 

The two deputies are walking down the street one evening when they notice that someone is robbing the town's bank.  They hide the car.

They are afraid and don't know what to do.

Finally, Gomer looks at Barney and says, excitedly, "Shazam!  We need to call the police."

In utter exasperation, Barney shoots back:  "We are the police!"

In the body of Christ, I hear people articulate that somebody needs to:

Pray.

Witness.

Grow the church.

Win our community for Christ.

Pray.

Bring unity to the body of Christ.

Work in the nursery.

Minister on the worship team.

Pray.

Fix up something around the church.

Work with teenagers.

Pray.

Give to the church.

See the building fund paid off.

Do something about abortion.

Pray.

Work with foster care children.

Start a life group.

Pray.

Care for the needy.

Reach out to the hurting.

Make Stone Church a place where people belong, grow and service.

Pray.

Grow the church numerically.

Feed the homeless.

Reduce crime.

Stem the tide of sexual perversion in our country.

Minister to men.

Minister to women.

Pray.

All of these are well and good.

But:  perhaps the person to do that (or at least participate in reaching the needs I mentioned above) is you. 

"We are the police," Barney cried out.

And I say, "We are the church!"  "You are the church."

Perhaps we all need to stop today and think through what element of life, society and our church that we can participate in - and see great things happen for God.

And maybe, just maybe, the responsibility for all of the above lies not with that "other person" but with me - and with you.

Just a thought for a Thursday.