Signpost #3

Signposts on the Eurasian Road #3 Hans Växby

Through a visitor’s glasses

Peter and I stood in the entrance hall of the church where I served. We had decided to fresh up the building for an upcoming anniversary. A group of us had been charged to check what needed to be done. I was on my way to the sanctuary, and was a little surprised that Peter insisted that we started with the entrance. To be honest, I hardly ever came through the main door to the church, since there was a back door from our kitchen directly to the church.
“When I come to church, I sometimes put a visitor’s glasses on. It is good, for then I see things that I normally don’t see.” We looked around, and for the first time I realized that the entrance was very dark, had old and dirty signs, and needed a number of other small changes.
Peter that evening said another thing that I have never forgotten. “What people see when they enter the church, tells them what we think about the church ourselves.” If we honor the House of the Lord enough to keep it clean and in order, they will realize that they have come to holy place. The way we arrange the entrance is our first chance to say “Welcome!” and they will know that they have come to the right place.