This past weekend God took me to school in checking my motives and assumptions based on outward appearances.

I was privileged to be asked to speak at a men’s conference kick-off night and to extend the evangelistic message. When I got there the turnout was significantly below what had been hoped for by its organizers. The crowd in the worship center did not do justice to efforts exercised to make the conference have significant impact in the lives of men. Additionally the crowd leaned toward the middle age and up range, absent of many in the young adult category.

As if to apologize, one of the workers mentioned to me, “Well, most of the men here are probably already believers, so just motivate them in their walk.” I thought about that as I walked into the worship center. I wondered if he was right? Did I need to change approach? What if I gave an invitation and no one responded?

But something inside compelled me to keep the course. As I followed a friend who had spoken on leading as a godly man in the family arena, I decided to speak with everything I had…as though there were 10,000 men there.

The men were engaged. That were with me from the start. Their response was both refreshing and invigorating. And I was blown away when at the time of the invitation to accept Christ just under 10% if those present responded. When I challenged men who felt a critical need to take their walk with Christ to the next level the floodgates broke. In moments the alter was full with men both accepting Christ and renewing their walk with Him…and backing up into three aisles!

And God reminded me, “Don’t ever look on the outward appearance and assume you know what I will do!” What a great reminder! Never to despise small beginnings. I hope the conference organizers were as thrilled with God’s work and faithfulness as I was. After all, He had just who he wanted there, and that which He had purposed He did! Lesson learned!!

Jesus said that one of the characteristics which would distinguish the Christian community was the fact that they would be known by their love for one another. Was that characterization to be limited to the first century…or was it to be for all centuries…including ours?

As I watch the newspapers and communications pieces used in the Christian community these days I am grieved that too often this standard seems to have been jettisoned. Today leaders are criticized left and right publicly, often sans the effort of following Matthew 18 when dealing with problems. Many blogs seem much faster and focused on finding, and spreading, what they think is wrong more than what they think is right. And often, in rather ruthless fashion. I’m sure that many outside the Christian community sometimes wonder, “Why would I want to be a part of that, when I see that kind of reaction in my world on a regular basis?! What is so different?” And I think they would have a point.

A man said to me not too long ago, “In my opinion the Christian community has moved from shooting its wounded, to wounding its walking!” I was grieved to hear such a commentary…yet I fear he is right. I pray a movement of God stirs in the Christian community in the near future and compels a return to all of us being known for our love more than our criticism, and following Matthew 18 when, indeed, a difference or problem arises. That’s sure how I, for one, want to be known…not the other way around.