No child left behind

Every time I hear or read about the federal government's "No Child Left Behind" I am reminded of the story in the Bible of Jesus being left behind at the temple when he was 12 years old. The story is found in Luke 2:41-52 if you want to look it up. If we are honest, those of us that are parents probably have at least one story of leaving our child behind or forgetting to pick our child up at the appointed time, effectively deserting our child if only for the briefest moment. The passage of time usually make these stories much funnier than how our mood was when the event actually occurred.

Jews were required to attend three annual festivals in Jerusalem...Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacles but, for poorer people, especially those that lived farther away, Passover was sometimes the only one that was strictly observed. It is during the Passover festival that the account in the Luke passage takes place. I have always found it interesting that Mary and Joseph lost Jesus. I'm sure there were many people that had traveled to and from Jerusalem with them and so it would be easy for each to assume that the child was with the other or with other family or friends. I find it even more interesting that they lost Jesus at church (the temple.)

I think it can be easy to get lost at church. Oh, I don't mean you or others not knowing where you are...I also don't mean lost as in "not saved" in evangelical terms. I mean lost.

Church can be a difficult place, especially for someone that hasn't been a part of church all their life. Church people talk a little differently, using phrases that may not be understood by everybody. People also seem to think that when they are at church they are supposed to put on their most joyous faces, even if nothing on the inside feels very joyful. We can get lost in all the church activities. They can sometimes be a little overwhelming. Often we feel lost if we believe that we can't participate as much as other people..maybe making us feel a little guilty.

Despite all those people, church can also be a very lonely place, especially if we don't quite fit the mold. Maybe it's a guy or gal in their late 20's or early 30's who hasn't found (or doesn't want to) their companion for life and the people around you continue to ask...and ask ..when? Maybe you are a younger person who is only there because Mom or Dad makes you go. Maybe you are a person whose life took a path that included divorce or problems with the law or business failure or addiction or homelessness or something else that doesn't fit the "Leave it to Beaver" or "Brady Bunch" model. We can also get lost in all the theology and a feeling that we aren't scholarly enough regarding the Bible. We can start to think that maybe God isn't as interested in those of us that can't quote chapter and verse.

Maybe we wouldn't feel so lost if, instead of people telling us they are are praying for us when they know of our difficulty, they would just listen and talk to us. The prayers are important but sometimes we just need another person to listen and hold our hand. Some of our churches are so large we feel like we are on a university campus. Sometimes it can make us feel very small, insignificant, unnoticed....lost.

Have you ever gotten lost at church? Don't feel like you are alone... I think all of us at some point felt a little like "a child left behind."

The truth is that Jesus wasn't at all lost at the temple. Because He was with His Father. And if you are feeling a little lost at church...take comfort in knowing that your Heavenly Father is always there with you...even when you aren't "at church." He wants No child left behind.