Gigantic oak doors overlaid with metal. Menacing looking door-knockers. Crossbows and crossed- axes hanging on the walls. All of these are typical sights in the many castles and fortresses of Germany. And to be honest, they might as well be on the doors of many of the family homes too. Their message is pretty clear - keep out unless you’re invited. These big doors often open slowly. And they’re opened by cautious people. But it is so often simple prayer, and simple questions which so easily break through those trust barriers.
Our church meets in an office complex which includes several firms, a post office, and a daycare. Which means I have regular opportunities to connect with people who are not a part of our church, without ever leaving our church building. Conrad is an employee of one of the firms in the building. I’ve seen him on and off for the past 16 months, and never received much more than a head-nod. I heard last week that he had a bit of a family crisis; his wife has broken her leg and can’t move it for 8 weeks. Usually he’s on the road for work 3-4 nights per week. But his company has been merciful and is keeping him close to home for the time being. So that means he’s around our building a lot more. Simply mentioning to him that I had heard about his wife, was like receiving the secret password to the fortress. It simply meant, I noticed him; I cared. And apparently that meant a lot. Suddenly he’s calling me by my first-name. He’s reaching out for a hand shake in the mornings. He smiles when he sees me, and wants to chat. The defenses are down. I’m no longer a threat. I’ve always believing in earning the right to be heard. And that’s not a right we can fight for. People can attack a fortress from the outside. But to change the culture of what happens inside a castle, you have to be invited in. And I’m thankful for the invitation.
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