Churches are supposed to be welcoming, right?  That’s not really a question, more of a statement.  Like when my wife asks me, “You’re going to do the dishes, right?”  If a church isn’t welcoming it’s not going to accomplish much good in its community.  I think my church is very welcoming, maybe extraordinarily so.  But don’t most church goers think that about their church?  Funny enough it took a rather unwelcoming church moment to help me understand exactly why I can be sure my church knows how to welcome others.

When churches become a certain size they can become targets.  There are always new faces, random meetings, exciting ministries – you might say some hustle and bustle (okay no one actually says that).  It is exciting but it can create an opportunity for someone to try and take advantage.  A few weeks ago just such a person was slipping through local churches, taking advantage.

Then came the Sunday when the individual arrived at our church.  We had been notified to be on the lookout, but the whole thing didn’t seem likely.  I admit, this person made some rounds and probably got the customary smiles, head-nods, and hellos.  But then the unfortunate moment for them came, when one of our church leaders had eyes clear enough to see.  Clear eyes that first searched for ways to connect, then for ways to help, and finally for ways to understand.  And the situation clicked into place and our church became for but a moment a bit unwelcoming.

In Acts 3, Peter and John are on their way to the temple and they pass a man lame from birth.  The man calls out to them for money.  This is a regular kind of occurrence, something that most would say could be ignored.  But I love what Peter and John actually do.  Acts 3:4 says, “Peter looked straight at him, as did John.”  For maybe the first time in a long time someone truly looked at the man.  With clear eyes Peter and John saw the man and saw the real need.  They didn’t have money to give, but they gave what they had, healing by the power of the name of Jesus Christ.

Clear eyes – first off, I’m not referencing the product whose commercials featured the dynamic duo of Ben Stein (Bueller…Bueller…) and a beach ball (anyone else remember these commercials – just me?).  To me, clear eyes is having the ability to put aside our personal distractions, concerns, and self-focus so that we can ‘look straight’ at people.  We can give them the attention, the focus, and the care they deserve.  When this happens the true welcoming begins!

Seeing with clear eyes is not the easiest thing to do.  The biggest challenge is not allowing ourselves to get in the way.  We’re all going to have moments, minutes, and days where this is impossible, that is life.  But this is no small thing and it shouldn’t be taken lightly.  Having the ability to see others with clear eyes is a key ingredient to effectively ministering to others.  If you never allow yourself to do it, your impact is greatly limited.

I know what many of you are thinking, “Is he going to talk about clear eyes and never actually reference Friday Night Lights?” (A TV show that coined the phrase “Clear Eyes, Full Hearts, Can’t Lose.”)  Of course not!  Ask yourself – are you seeing others with clear eyes?  When you welcome people at church, when you see someone at work, and even when you pass someone in the grocery store – are you looking with clear eyes?  Put aside everything for a few moments and give someone your attention, your focus, and your care – see what they need, who they are,  and how you can make a difference for them!  Because maybe, just maybe, Friday Night Lights got it right.  Eyes clearly seeing others, with hearts full of Jesus Christ, could just be a recipe that can’t lose.