At Ease

Have you ever planned to meet someone for the first time? Maybe it was a blind date. Or perhaps it was the coach of a new sports team you were joining. It can be nerve racking.

Several years ago I did some genealogical research and came across a distant cousin in Alsace while on the internet. She likewise did genealogical research, and she was extremely good. Shortly thereafter my wife and I, along with another couple, traveled to Europe and we planned to see my distant cousin, Marlyse.

 I have to admit I was excited to go, but I was also nervous. 

Neuwiller-les-Saverne

When we met Marlyse and her husband Norbert, they put us immediately at ease. They showed us the area where my direct ancestors lived and showed us their village, Neuwiller-les-Saverne.

 Norbert, the local “curator” of their church let us see the Tapestry of St. Adelphe. The tapestry had four panels and each panel was perhaps 16 feet by 3 feet. The tapestry dates from the ninth century AD, and has a history of the land embroidered in it.

 We saw many other things, and our hosts took us to dinner afterward.  I will never forget that day.

 Today’s reading is Genesis 24:59-67. Abraham sent his servant to Mesopotamia to bring a bride for his son Isaac. Following God’s leads, the servant finds and brings back Rebekah. Isaac and Rebekah meet for the first time and get married shortly thereafter.

 Although each was probably excited to meet the other, both were probably a bit nervous at first.

Today in our churches there are people who are either attending our church for the first time, haven’t been to a church in years or perhaps have never been in a church.

 More than likely, that person may be a bit nervous.

 They may not want to be there. They may believe the negative myths that our culture propagates about Christians. They may even be a bit fearful of our God.

 As Christ’s Ambassadors, we have the responsibility -- no, make that privilege -- to show them around and put them at ease.

 What can you do to put people at ease?