You Sitting in the Pew Next to Me

Person One:

You – sitting in the pew next to me –
I don’t know you.
Oh, I know your name.
I know the “Hi, how are you?” part of you.
I know the “Rainy weather we’re having, isn’t it?” part of you.
But I don’t know you –
Not what you’re thinking,
Not where you’ve come from,
Not where you’re going.
You sit so still: Are you serene or are you simmering inside?
Are you content with life or are you churning?
Are you here because it’s a habit or because it’s a joy or because your mother brought you years ago?
Is it expected of you?
Are you setting an example for the children?
Are you glad to be here or are you just tired?
Are you tuned into what’s being said or are you disenchanted?
Did you come from a chaotic morning or from too much quiet?
Are you thinking about last night’s party or this afternoon’s ball game?
Or are you wondering what it’s all about?
Will you ever reveal yourself to me or are you just another person in the pew I’ll never know?

Person Two:

You – you sitting in the pew next to me – I don’t know you.
Oh I know your background.
I know you’re here every Sunday.
I know you’re very big around here –
Church School teacher, chairperson of this and that, on all the important committees.
Even went to the national meeting, didn’t you? Who are you behind that smile,
Behind all that activity?
Are you for real?
Are you doing it all for your image
Or do you love Christ so much you’ve got to give your time?
Are you hustling or are you filled with God’s spirit?
Are you desperately trying to fill the emptiness in your life
Or are you overflowing with good will?
Would you tell me if I asked you, or would you play a game with me?
Would you really care if I told you my problems?
Would you really listen or would you be looking over my shoulder?
Could I be honest with you, or would my honesty make you nervous?
Would you take the time?
Would you be interested to know what I feel?
Would my doubts make you uneasy?
Would you want to get involved?
Do you even care what I’m all about…
Where I’m heading, what I’m thinking?
Does the fact that we’re sitting side by side in God’s sanctuary makes us community?
Does it make a difference?
Or are you just another person in the pew I’ll never know?

Person One:

You – sitting in the pew next to me – I’m lonely.
You’d be surprised at that, wouldn’t you?
How could I be lonely with all the family and friends I have?
I’m not lonesome, I’m lonely!
I’m lonely deep down where it hurts. I want to reach out to somebody and say: This is me, this really me.
But everybody passes quickly. They’re all so busy.
Everything’s kept superficial as if when we busy ourselves with enough things we won’t have to think;
We won’t have to face our emotions.
Oh, I long to cut through our rote responses, our pleasantries,
Our right answers.
I want to say: “I’m sorry you have a cold,
And I’m glad we’re having nice weather,
But what are you doing inside there?”
What kind of somersault is going on deep inside of you?
Are you angry? Are you hurt? Are you frightened?
Are you confused? Are you who you want to be?
I’d be interested in what you feel.
Would you be interested in what I feel?
What I’m searching for, hoping for, reaching for?
It’s all part of what I think it means to be here, in God’s church.
Are you lonely too?
Do you wonder or do you have it all solved?
Or do you even care?
Are you just another person in the pew I’ll never know?

Person Two:

You – sitting in the pew next to me – I’m scared.
Years are passing quickly and I seem to have little control over my life.
It’s as though somebody else set out a course for me
When did I decide on this life-style?
I’m scared by the subtleties of life.
I’m scared by what’s expected of me by some unknown “they” out there.
I’m scared by the pushing, the pulling, the pressures.
Whoever decided that I had to live on the street in this house
And work like crazy to live on another street in a bigger house?
Whoever decided for me that success was chasing after things? And there is no end to it…keep chasing…
My life dedicated to owning.
Whoever decided I owed my children bigger and better things?
I’m scared when I take a look at my way of life.
I’m scared when I look at myself. That’s why I’m here –
Because I’ve heard there is a better way.
I’ve heard that some people take Christ seriously.
I’ve heard that maybe in church I could be born again. Is it possible?
Could I talk to you about it?
Would you laugh to think successful me needs you?
Or would you be compassionate because you know I’m scared?
Maybe you’ll be the one to tell me…
Or are you just another person in the pew I’ll never know?

Person One:

You – sitting in the pew next to me –
What are you really doing here?
Do you believe in Jesus Christ? How much? Enough to risk?
How much of a risk? Risk your reputation? Risk your family? Your money?
Do you believe in Christ? Or is Christianity just a convenience?
Something to fill in on consensus forms,
Something one just goes along with,
Something undemanding, something nice…
Do you believe?
Do you know what you believe?
Will you share it with me?
Or are you just another person in the pew I’ll never know?