Showing Up (Not Showing Off)
The greatest. The best. The newest. The most innovative. The most original. Glamorous, sexy, powerful, moving, famous. These are the words that drive our culture and keep it moving from one trend or fad to the next. Nothing is as boring as yesterday’s news or experience or Ted Talk or book or movie or app. We don’t want boredom, we want the next cool, spectacular, amazing thing. And after we get it…we want the next one. Unfortunately, followers of Jesus are as susceptible to this cultural longing as everybody else. Christians find themselves on the same treadmill, working hard and looking busy but going nowhere meaningful.
So when I point out something that the Church does (or can do) well, maybe you brace yourself for something truly incredible. Here it is: we show up. Seriously, you say? That’s it? Yes, that’s it. We show up. The funny thing is, showing up is powerful and meaningful and all those things, but a culture hooked on adrenalin rarely takes notice. Rarely, but not never.
I’ve seen it happening all over our small church, The Cove in Santa Rosa, CA, recently. When octogenarians Christina and Len tragically lost their 52-year old son and the memorial service was held two hours away in Davis, CA…ten people from The Cove showed up. Just to be there, to let them know we love them and will walk this valley with them. When Lisa’s serious chronic health issues overwhelm her and she needs rides to appointments or yard work done or 10-year-old daughter Rosie picked up for Sunday School, people from The Cove faithfully respond by pitching in and covering those things. People show up. When someone has surgery or illness or is pregnant and needs some help with food, Cove folks show up on the doorstep with meals. And greetings. And prayers. When homeless friends from a local shelter program arrive at The Cove for a monthly overnight, they are greeted not only by all sorts of hot and tasty food, but also by people who show up for no other reason than to sit around a table, learn names and have conversation.
Boring, right? Not the kinds of things that make headlines or fill seats in church or have books written or movies made about them. Boring…unless you are the one who has suffered loss or is sick or needs a ride or food or someone to talk to. Then having someone show up becomes the most important thing in the world. Our church is no different than yours. It looks different in different contexts, but followers of Jesus major in simply being present. Sometimes it’s risky, and sometimes it’s terribly boring, but the simple act of showing up never disappoints–not to win points or get a PR boost but because human beings need others. I remember reading an account of star athletes who visited a children’s hospital. The kids categorized the athletes into two groups: those who arrived just before reporters and cameras did...and those who arrived just after everyone else left. Presence.
Way back in the stone age (2007), Ryan Goslin was in a movie called Lars and the Real Girl. Lars is a Wisconsin man in a small town, suffering from some mental delusions, and he ends up with a girlfriend who is actually a life-size, plastic doll for a companion. He takes her places and introduces her to people. In Lars’ town, everyone buys into going along with this delusion in the hopes of helping Lars get well. They act like she is a real girl. And as Lars begins to get better, and is almost finished needing her, he decides that his plastic girlfriend is very ill. The people of the town all send flowers and cards! And so Lars tucks his girl into bed one night and then finds himself sitting in his living room with several older women from church. They’ve brought food (casseroles, of course, it is Wisconsin!), and they’ve brought their knitting. And it’s silent. And pretty awkward. And finally Lars says “Is there something I’m supposed to be doing?” And the women say “No…We came over to sit. That’s what people do when tragedy strikes, Lars. You come over and sit.”
Presence...is a very powerful thing. Sharing someone’s space. Keeping company. Some people may not find it spectacular enough, but God seems to think it’s a good idea. He chose to do in Christ. We call it incarnation—God coming to sit with us. Showing up.
Peace of Christ,
Dan Baumgartner
Dan Baumgartner is the senior pastor at The Cove in Santa Rosa CA and formerly served as Secretary on The Fellowship Community Board.