Volume 118: Rest in Linc

"What is your name?"

I hear this question directed towards me, as I am bending down to pick up my keys and Bible, ready to make my quick exit out of the church. 

I look up and see this gentle spirited man, who had sat behind me in the service. 

"My name is Morgan! What's yours?"

"Linc!"

"It's nice to meet you. Have you been coming to Christ the King for a while?"

He answers, "Well, it's a complicated story..."

To which I say, "Me too, me too."

After that comment, he asked me more about my story - how I got to Houston, my work, and how I was looking to move back to Chattanooga after the summer.

Then, he paused for a moment, and introduced his next question, "I hope you don't mind me asking a more personal question... You're single. How is that for you in the church, as a young single adult?"

Oof. What a question. Well, Linc! How long do you have!

My immediate response was "Thank you for asking, not many people do." 

His question was genuine. I felt no judgement. I just saw a humble man before me, genuinely interested in how the church can be more welcoming to all. 

I openly shared with him how it is difficult, somewhat shocked by my quick vulnerability with this stranger. 

That it's hard to come to church alone. It's hard to be surrounded by families and married couples and hear messages always relating to marriages and raising kids. 

And it's hard to feel alone in it - that as I get older, I have fewer and fewer friends who are able to relate. 

There's a constant battle of feeling less than or that something might be wrong with me.

It's a topic I struggle with insecurity in - and fear that if I talk about it, I am coming off as playing a victim card. 

But that's not what I am trying to do! I feel a constant push and pull of feeling pressure to celebrate all of the wonderful marriages in my life yet also embrace my singleness and trust that God is using this season of my life. 

Okay, well I didn't share allll of this with him, but I do with you, Unpluggers!

No, not to play a victim card!

But to challenge you, on behalf of the single folks around you! 

To be like Linc - who started a fruitful conversation. Who made me feel seen. Simply by asking me my name. By being aware that there was someone sitting by themselves in front of him. 

As someone who has visited many churches and sat by myself, it's not common for anyone to talk to me... which feels ironic in a church, which should be a place of welcoming and feeling seen. 

If even as a Christian, I have left the church with no interactions, may that not be true of a non believer who shows up at church trying to see what it's all about!

So may we not become so closed off, in the safety of our group, and not see the folks around us that just need a simple, "What is your name?"

Little did Linc know - I was veryyyyyy close to not going to church this morning. I had gone back and forth on whether or not to just watch church online...

But, who are we to mess with things that God is orchestrating! 

It just so happened to be the weekend that Linc's wife was in College Station with his daughter and so he sat in the back, perfectly placed for the Spirit to lead Him and for God to move through it. 

Towards the end of our conversation, he asked if I knew what church I would go to in Chattanooga, and I said "Yes, it's actually one of the main reasons I want to go back! It's on Lookout Mountain..."

He excitedly interrupted, "Is it Rock Creek?"

"Yes!!!!"

Well turns out, he had just been in Chattanooga this past week, with Pastor Eric - his friend of over 30 years!!!

And then it was his turn to be vulnerable, as he spoke teary eyed, talking about how grateful he was for his friendship with Eric. 

It's a small world folks!!! 

At the end of the day, whether single or married or divorced or widowed, aren't we all just looking for connection?!?

Let's agree together to be bold!! To allow the Spirit to move! And be willing to step into uncomfort!

This past week, I read Tyler Stanton's new book about the Holy Spirit, The Familiar Stranger. There were many things I underlined and highlighted and starred. One of those was this: 

"There is just one simple requirement for being a witness: your eyes have to be OPEN. Every day ask God to open your eyes to his invisible but invading kingdom."

God, give us open eyes to the people around us, that we may be more like Linc! 

Phil Wickham came out with a new song this week - The King is In the Room. 

I've grown up knowing who Phil Wickham is, singing the classic "This is Amazing Grace" back in youth group. In the past, I would probably have at least listened to his new single and then just move on...

Until...

I saw him in concert last month. I saw his personality - his goofiness. I heard how incredible his voice is without any background. I got a glimpse of his story and his heart for Jesus. 

Now, I choose his songs when I get in the car. I've already listened to this new song over and over again. 

Something in us changes when a person becomes more than a name we hear. 

May the same be true of Jesus! As I come to know Him more and more, I want more and more time with Him. That He is the one I choose over and over again! 

In honor of this post, I plug this sermon again if you haven't listened!