A couple years ago, gun violence was one of the biggest talking points in the United States. It even reared its ugly head in churches across the country, causing leaders to be proactive in another one of Satan’s schemes. Churches privately introduced security teams to keep the men, women, and children who come together for worship safe, and give them peace of mind in the twisted times of the world. I am personally an advocate for teaching gun safety to anyone and everyone so they have a better understanding of something that the media had shown in a bad light. However, I noticed a problem that began to grow inside my heart.
That problem was disorganized priorities. I had become so infatuated with being a protector of others that I wondered away from my post of guarding my heart. You may have had this same, rational fear of a church shooting like me too. I began to study makes, models, and calibers of guns, different kinds of ammunition, and holsters to make sure I was ready if the need arose for a protector, but who was guarding my heart? Also, the suspicion of visitors to church was immediate. It was an instant distrust. I did not know that person from Adam, but I judged them, immediately. I now look back on that time, and I am ashamed to admit such a thing as that.
The cure I found for myself was carrying a towel. You may have seen the ketchup bottle in my backpack (I love ketchup), but the towel I try to carry with me is invisible. John 13 shows us what it means to carry a towel. Jesus knew He had paradise already, but washed the nasty feet of his disciples anyway. Instead of worrying about carrying a gun of protection (which is a useful tool), we need to carry a towel of servanthood. You may be fit physically for a security team, but spiritually do you have work to do?
Logan Baldwin