About this site | Next “Person-2-Person” | Current “Person-2-Person” | Previous “Person-2-Person” | Archives | Links


by David Phelps

“Do not wait for leaders; do it alone, person to person.” – Mother Teresa

August, 2020

Last month, the US and the world lost civil rights icon and Congressman John Lewis to a brief battle with pancreatic cancer. He is best remembered for his work in support of civil rights and his thirty three years in the US House of Representatives but when he was younger, he wanted to be a minister. While he eventually attended American Baptist Theological Seminary, his early forays into ministry were more humble. Without a congregation, Lewis would go out into his family’s yard and preach to the chickens.

In a 2012 interview, Lewis reminisced about those early days, when he would gather together assorted siblings and cousins—and of course chickens—and preach to them. “And I would start speaking or preaching. And when I look back, some of these chickens would bow their heads. Some of these chickens would shake their heads. They never quite said ‘Amen,’ but I’m convinced that some of those chickens that I preached to during the ‘40s and ‘50s tended to listen to me much better than some of my colleagues listen to me today.”

It’s not a compliment to Lewis’ fellow members of Congress that they came off badly when compared to barnyard fowl. Still, I have to wonder how much we—and I in particular—have in common with them. These days, Sunday morning worship is an online experience, with my wife, Charlotte and I together in front of a laptop computer. With no “congregation” to hold us accountable, I can sleep late and do and wear whatever I want. Usually, my “church clothes” are the same ones I wear to bed. I can eat a late breakfast, surf the Internet, check my email, or anything else I want. Pastor Kim can’t see me. My coworker, John, who is Roman Catholic, admitted that the first and only time he tried attending Mass online, he promptly fell asleep.

The Gospel of Matthew recounts Jesus’ teaching of what we know as “the parable of the sower” (13:3-8). Afterward, the disciples ask Jesus what the parable means (vs. 10b). Then he explains the parable, which is nice because it means he’s also explaining it to us (vs. 19-23). Verse 22 in particular refers to seed that fell “among thorns” and to people who are distracted by “the worries of this life” that “choke the word” (22b New International Version). Certainly, each of us has worries, especially in the midst of a pandemic. COVID-19 is more than enough to cause anyone to worry. But what if we change “worries” to “distractions”? Cell phones, the Internet, TV, the people around us, and even breakfast can all be distractions. I find myself wondering what emails I might have waiting, or even about the latest news. I guess it’s a good thing I’m not on Facebook.br>
James wrote about people who were “double-minded” (1:8) but he wasn’t the first. Psalm 119 says, “I hate double-minded people, / but I love your law.” (vs. 113 NIV). Our full attention belongs on God; we can’t separate ourselves into “faithful me” and “worldly, distracted me.” The author of Hebrews wrote, “. . . let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.” (Heb. 12:1b NIV). The things of the world are still waiting to hinder and “entangle” you and me today.

When Peter saw Jesus walking on the water, he said to Jesus, “‘Lord, if it’s you, . . . tell me to come to you on the water.’” (Matt. 14:28 NIV). But when he took his eyes off Jesus and looked at the waves and wind, he became “entangled” in doubts and began to sink (vs. 30). You might say he “turned chicken.” It’s the same way with us. When we allow ourselves to be distracted, we “sink” spiritually.

Distractions aren’t just a problem for us during worship, they can affect us at other times and in other areas of discipleship. For example, I have to confess that my mind wanders while I’m praying, and when I’m reading my Bible multiple earthly things cry out for my attention. After reading Congressman Lewis’ youthful experiences, I wonder if I might make a better chicken than a disciple. When the opportunity comes along to share our faith, will we be focused? Will we seize the moment? Or will we be chicken?


“‘Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. . . . The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful.’” (Matt. 13:7, 22 NIV.)


Copyright © 2020 by David Phelps