A Front Yard Faith

I am so blessed that my church has so many different facets of ministries and Pastors. Today the Pastor of our Deaf Ministry came to our Crosswalk service and gave an incredible message that I want to share. I have had some dealings with Pastor Tom on the Baptism committee as we have had several of our deaf congregation baptized, and he performs the Baptism for them. Everyone can tell what a great heart Pastor Tom has for this ministry and the way he interacts with all involved. It is just another confirmation for me that God works through so many different kinds of people to give His children the Good News. The things I am sharing today came from my notes and most of it credited to Pastor Tom.


On the stage beside Pastor Tom today was two patio chairs, a barbecue grill, and a stock of firewood. We were asked where we might find this setting of furniture and decided that this could all be found in a backyard setting- possibly one with a fence around it, you know - nice, cozy and comfortable. The analogy then was brought to say that some Christians have what could be called a "backyard faith". This is a faith that consists of you, or me, and Jesus- just the two of you, being in relationship and fellowshipping with each other in the "comfort" of that fenced in enclosed backyard area. This really impacted me as I believe we have all gone through life and experienced seeing many Christians live out this "backyard" kind of faith. Some of us may even ourselves be there right now.


One of the scriptures today was in Philippians 2:6-8 saying:


"Though he was in the form of God, he did not consider being equal with God something to exploit. But he emptied himself by taking the form of a slave and by becoming like human beings. When he found himself in the form of a human, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross."


Christ came out of the comfort of his backyard in heaven: from his Father, humbling himself even to death. He did not stay in the confines of a backyard while here on earth- he moved it out to the "front yard" so everyone could see! Pastor Tom described the front yard as where the "parties" happen. It made me think of college parties that in walking or driving by you could see that a party was going on. People would just stop in. There was no restriction of who could be there. 


In knowing that God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit left their "cosmic backyard" and moved to the front yard in order to be in relationship with all people, are we willing to move OUR faith to the front yard as well? Having a "front yard faith" is to be like Jesus who loved and reached out to all who needed help and healing- not just of the physical but of the spiritual most of all.


"But ..... I'm really comfortable here in the backyard, and I don't know if I could move to the front yard..... I could be rejected, and sometimes suffer. I know that the front yard is where I NEED to be, but how can I get there?"


Colossians 2:9-10 says this:


"All the fullness of deity lives in Christ's body. And you have been filled by him, who is the head of every ruler and authority." 


Since we have been filled by him, we have the POWER in the Holy Spirit to move from the backyard to the front yard. In doing so, God will use our short falls and weaknesses for His purpose of reaching others. The "front yard faith" is a relational faith- the kind of faith that God wants all of us to have. This allows us to love people into a relationship with Jesus, but we can't do that from the backyard.


Are you where it's comfortable in a "backyard faith". One that consists of only you and Jesus- always keeping Him and your faith to yourself? 


The front yard is a place where people that need Him are driving by or watching from afar, waiting to see what you will do in showing them who.... He... is. 


How can we not want to share His abounding, never-ending love with them for all He has done for us? 


Hang out in the front yard and watch what happens- God will move in a miraculous and profound way when WE step out on faith to extend grace, mercy and love to others.......