Just A Glimpse...

The councilmen were long gone when the real power entered the room. With pastors, ex­-drug addicts and single parents in attendance, diversity, transformation, and hope were on our side. Political power, however, rested on the crisply pressed suits of those with sway.

I listened, spellbound—from 9:30am until the gavel sounded at 2:36pm, I didn’t leave my seat.

The debate was over equal access: using public schools as places of worship. Each week churches across New York City spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on rent to transform cement block structures into sanctuaries. Pastors, parishioners, and a lone lawyer hoped to convince the city to let them continue to rent the facilities.

Those in favor of eviction were polished and articulate and connected. They screamed without raising their voices. They spewed poison with a smile while a gallery of the faithful looked on in disbelief. Misrepresentations were made without objection. As the Church was trivialized and mocked and lied about, protocol dictated that we remain silent.

I thought of the times when accusations were made about Christ without rebuttal. Opponents claimed he would “Destroy the temple.” (Matthew 26:61) He was a lunatic. Terrorist. Hate monger. Simpleton.

Jesus offered no rebuttal. He had no reply for fools. He cherished the pearls of truth enough to resist wasting them on swine.

By mid­-afternoon the members of the City Council were all but gone. The main event was over, but the real storytellers were just getting started. While the politicians went off to chase other agendas, the Spirit of God rested on the sixteenth floor “Hearing Room.” The Church had a face too. It was beautiful, colorful, passionate, and infectious.

My wounded soul found more than just consolation, it embraced the boldness, power, and conviction represented there. With the politicians and power brokers gone, just the Spirit of God and the bride of Christ were left. And they brought such sweet hope. Such joy. Such unobstructed light. I caught a glimpse of the gates of hell – just before I saw the overpowering love of Jesus.

There is no City Council, no legislature, no law that can stem the tide of Christ. He will have His way. No eviction notice can dismiss our Lord.