Weekend Story- The Pastor’s Test
June 5, 2023
A lady in a small town once went to the Pastor and said, “Dear Pastor, I won’t be going to your church anymore..”
The Pastor was surprised. This lady was a regular at the Church. “Why do you want to do that?” he asked.
The lady responded- ” The Church is a place of worship. But in my last few visits here, I have noticed a few members gossiping, others looking at their phones during the service, and many others not interested in praying. So I don’t want to be a part of this church group anymore.”
Listening intently, the Pastor took a moment and replied, ” OK. I understand your feelings. But before you go, can I make a request? Can you please take a glass full of water and walk around the Church three times while ensuring that you don’t spill a single drop on the ground? Afterward, you can leave the Church. I will not stop you.”
The lady agreed to the Pastor’s request. Taking a glass of water, full to the brim, she walked three times around the Church as the Pastor had asked. More importantly, she managed to complete the task without spilling even a single drop of water. After successfully executing the strange request, she told the Pastor she was ready to leave.
At this point, the Pastor, with a twinkle in his eyes, said, “Before you leave, I want to ask you one question. As you were walking around the Church, did you notice anyone looking at their phones or gossiping or doing anything else that was not appropriate, according to you?”
The lady thought about it for a moment and replied, ” No, Pastor, I did not notice anyone because I had to concentrate on not spilling the water.”
“Exactly my point,” the Pastor explained. “When you are focused on what you must do when you come to the Church, you will not bother to notice what good or bad others are doing. Instead, you focus solely on yourself and your interaction with god.”
The lady understood the Pastor’s message and continued being an active member of the Church.
