“Bigfoot” Moments

Guess who showed up in church on Holy Humor Sunday at Portage Faith?

Bigfoot!

It takes a lot of gumption to walk into a strange sanctuary in the middle of worship – even for Bigfoot. Curiosity must have drawn Bigfoot inside the doors of our church.

Bigfoot’s mission in life seems to be hiding from human beings. Maybe Bigfoot is shy by nature or feels misunderstood. Perhaps Bigfoot is tired of living a solitary life out in the woods without companions. Could it be that humans scare Bigfoot into hiding?

Let’s be honest, we all have Bigfoot moments, don’t we? Times when we feel rough around the edges. Moments when we feel uncomfortable around people.

Moments when we feel too blue, or too unlovable, or too wild, to associate with others. And before you know it, keeping to ourselves has become a habit we live with. We withhold ourselves from community.

How ironic that we were telling the story of the disciple Thomas the Sunday Bigfoot entered our sanctuary. Thomas thought he had missed out on the party. He wasn’t there when the risen Jesus showed up the first time. Poor Thomas. He feels left out. He’s anxious. It isn’t fair that he is denied the experience that his friends can’t stop talking about.

We all know the story. Same place, same channel, one week later, the risen Jesus shows up a second time to accommodate Thomas. Jesus makes sure Thomas is not left out.

Here’s the truth. As the church, we don’t gather just to sing songs and hear sermons and take care of a building. We come together to create a space where those who feel like “outsiders” experience welcome. Where those who have kept themselves hidden can find friends. Where even the most unlikely visitors might feel like they have walked into a place of holy welcome.

Maybe Bigfoot now feels it’s safe to get a little closer.

“These people believe God’s grace reaches into the wild, hidden, and forgotten places where we all live. There is welcome here for people who act and speak differently, even for creatures who are big and furry and reclusive. These people embody the wideness of God’s love.”

Pastor Bill Graham