This Really Isn’t Good

A time to be silent, and a time to speak. Ecclesiastes 3:7b

This summer, we will have one of my all-time favorite southern gospel groups in concert at America’s Keswick. I love Greater Vision. 

Rodney Griffin has been a part of the group for many years, and in addition to being a great singer, he is a gifted songwriter.

I read a post yesterday from Rodney that really grieved my spirit. I want to share it with you:

I recently spoke with a few “table servers” at a dinner/concert event we performed at. As we were tearing down the sound equipment, they were cleaning tables.

I don’t know why, but I asked, “Did our people treat you well tonight?”. They looked at each other…like no one wanted to respond…then one of them finally spoke up and said, ”To be honest, religious concerts are the hardest nights for us. Some of the people are always grumpy, rude, and very difficult for us to satisfy…no matter how hard we try”.

My heart broke.

We’d just spent two hours on stage trying to be an encouragement. We’d laughed with the audience. We’d cried. Little did we know that seeds had been planted during the dinner before, that had caused those pouring the coffee and tea to disregard anything we’d say from the stage as being “life-changing”.

We all have weak moments as Christians. I understand that. I’m also guilty of not always representing Christ as I should.

But we have to do better.

What we possess is their only hope.

If we are going to call ourselves “Christians”, let’s be the MOST kindest, the MOST patient, and the MOST generous of those being served by others.

We can do this!

We serve hundreds of senior citizens at America’s Keswick. This is the fifth largest senior citizen population in the country. I am embarrassed by the nastiness of so many in our community. Their mouths are caustic; they have no patience. They have no filter.

There is an entitlement attitude at this age: I can say what I want, whatever I want, whenever I want, to whomever I want because I have reached this age.

I get that from people who are non-believers. I don’t get it from people who claim to have a personal relationship and are supposedly filled with the Spirit. 

I have witnessed such mean-spirited Christians over the past ten years. The things I have heard from their lips have embarrassed me, made me cringe, sickened me, and just plain made me sad.

What am I missing? I ask myself the question: Would I say things like this if Jesus was in the room? Maybe I am afraid of the answer to that question. Maybe these mean-spirited people would be bold enough to put Jesus in his place?

It’s not just the spoken word. What about the things we post on social media or send in an email?

My earthly Dad would have put me in my place if my words didn’t reflect who I was in Christ. If my words would have grieved the heart of my earthy father, I can only imagine how they grieve my Heavenly Father.

Proverbs has lots to say about the use of my words. As Robert Hayes would often say – “Just because it comes into my head doesn’t mean I have to let it flow from my lips.” Think about it.

Undivided: By Christ, In Christ, For Christ:

Bill Welte, President/CEO
America’s Keswick

Written by Bill Welte, President/CEO of America’s Keswick: Bill has been married to his childhood sweetheart for 40+ years and has four married kids and 12 amazing grandkids. He loves music and is an avid reader.