Welcome to the home page for the
Fairfield Church of Christ
in Centerville, Tennessee.
By Devin Pickard
There are some people in this life who would just as soon eat rocks as to give up or quit on anything. Their determination and desire seems to always outweigh the odds that they are facing regardless of how great or small. I must admit, I try my best on a daily basis to have that attitude, though some of the time it seems to be more difficult than others. I am sure I have quit a number of things at different times in my life....some things I needed to and probably some I didn't....but one specific occasion always stands above them all. I decided when I was 12 years old, all 80 pounds soaking wet of me, that I wanted to play Jr. Pro football. Of course, the closest thing I had ever come to playing football was getting a Dallas Cowboys helmet and jersey from Santa for Christmas one year, but it looked easy enough and I thought it would be cool to get some real football gear and have prospective girlfriends cheering you on. Well, it indeed was pretty cool.... of course until the practicing began. I quickly learned what it meant to have the fillings in your teeth rattled. All of a sudden, these “so-called” friends of mine, were knocking me around like a rag doll. I would go home with places on my body hurting that I didn't even know I had. The “fun” I was supposed to be having quickly became a dreaded every-afternoon experience. After deciding that the NFL would not be my calling, I shamefully approached dad and told him that I did not want to play anymore. He told me that he would not make me play if I did not want to, but that he would not do my quitting for me. He said that I had to do the right thing and go tell Coach Spears myself that I was quitting the team. Boy, talk about walking the last mile.....as I recall, I showed up the next afternoon, with helmet and pads in hand, and told Coach that football just wasn't for me....and though he didn't say it, he probably agreed with me wholeheartedly. But, even then, I hated how it felt to quit something.
If you are in the habit of inviting people to church services, I am sure that you occasionally get the standard answer from many of them..... “You know, I was just thinking the other day that we needed to start back to church. We will see you Sunday!” Every now and then, some of those folks stick to their word and show up....some even continue to attend and become very faithful Christians. But, it has been my experience that many who give you that answer are really just trying to say, “Will you just please go away and leave me alone”, but to say it that way just wouldn't be very nice. I just wish one person....one time.... would have the courage and honesty to say to me, “You know, I appreciate you coming by, I really do, but I have no desire to come to church. It doesn't have anything to do with you or the church mind you, I just don't want to go....other things are more important to me right now. Some day, maybe when something bad happens to me or my family, I might show up just a Sunday or two to get back on God's good side, but until then, would you just please spend your time on someone else......if I need you , I will have my people call your people”. Even though that is not the answer I am looking for, I would at least appreciate it if that is how they really feel. The next time I considered visiting them, it would save me and them a whole lot of time and I could get those cookies to someone who really might be interested in a relationship with God. Anyway, who is really doing the quitting in this scenario?
Please understand, I am not for anything in the world saying that we should pass by anyone without giving them an opportunity to hear the Gospel. No, we should try to be a blessing to all those we come in contact with daily. We should try to share God's love with them, whether it be through word or deed, and encourage them to come to Worship. But, if after several attempts those same folks just don't seem to coming around, when need to do like Andre Agassi....shake the dust off of our feet and move on. Do we stop praying for the conversion of those people?....No. Do we stop praying that God will give them ample time to make the changes they need to make?.....Certainly not. But, if we continue with wasted efforts on those same people, it is my opinion that we are not being very good stewards of the time God has given us. When you get a chance, read Matt. 10:11-16 and Acts 13:48-52 and see what you think. And by the way.....if there is a big pile of dust on your front porch, it might just represent more than someone being tired of repeatedly trying to get you to take spiritual things seriously.....it also represents what you will soon become if the Lord tarries.....dust.
Go the extra mile - Devin
The above text is the Viewpoint from the bulletin front page dated 8/26/2008
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Fairfield Church of Christ 1860 Hwy 100 Centerville, TN 37033 (931) 729-5142 View Directions |
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