A few weeks ago I spoke at Mountainview on the topic, “Casting Nets or Casting Stones” (listen to the podcast). The basic idea was this: you can be a person who uses your influence to cast a net, helping draw people closer to God. Or, you can be a person that is quick to cast a stone of judgment towards those who are disconnected from God.
At the end of the message, I asked the crowd at all four services to look around at the empty chairs. These chairs represent the people who live in your neighborhood, work in your office, or the kids you pass in the hallway at school. These chairs are families who are on the brink of exploding, single moms wrestling with enormous challenges, or young adults contemplating suicide.
Then I asked them to fast-forward to the last Sunday of 2010. Imagine no empty chairs. Imagine seeing them filled with neighbors and co-workers. See restored families sitting in them. See the single mom who has found support. Imagine the young adult who once considered ending his life but has found hope.
And all because you made a decision to cast a net instead of a stone.
Well, this morning I came across a video from North Point Community Church in Atlanta called “I Am a Chair.” I think you’ll like it.
I am a chair from buckheadchurch on Vimeo.