arrogant-joe03

on a cool sunday morning, arrogant joe sat in a pew
and in-between yawns, he noticed something new-
“here at the church there’s lots of ways to show off-
people here look up to their sunday school profs.
they look up to people who know lots of verses
and carry big bibles- big as big purses-
i’ve got a plan! i’ll be a smart church-dude-
i’ll be a theologian and quote beatitudes-
i can be a greeter! right next to the stairs!
i can be a leader! and pray lots of prayers!
people will be interested in what i have to say-
everyone will be amazed at the long prayers that i pray.
i’ll come to church each sunday and it will be all about me!
everyone will say “there he is! our spiritual-celebrity.”


the next week joe got to work on his spiritual-show
he got to church was early- his face was aglow-
he paid careful attention to how he was dressed-
he greeted people saying “mayest thou’s day be blessed.”
when it was time for small groups, joe shared for an hour
joe loved the attention, the respect and the power
he made people think he was some sort of theological master-
he made critical comments about the church and the pastor
joe hid all of his faults with his sunday morning smile-
and joe’s friends didn’t want to be around him after awhile.
“‘joe stop being a hypocrite and start being real!
we’re tired of your acting and your theological-shpiel.”


one brave friend said “joe there is something that i’ve wanted to say-
God cares more about your heart than your holy-display-
you can be honest- He knows your heart is cracked-
He loves you for you- you don’t need to put on an act.”
joe thought long and hard and then he just smiled-
he said “mayest my God bless you, my unspiritual child.”
God loved arrogant joe with a love that was true-
but even though joe was in church- God couldn’t get through.