Since JoJo was a little boy, his parents called Sunday Morning Worship: Big Church. It was not to be confused with Children's Church, Youth Worship or anything else. It was a very special time for his parents. An honored time. It became the same way for JoJo.
Now that he was in the Second Semester of High School---well, his Freshman year, but to JoJo, it was his high school career thus far---he searched to know God more deeply. He sensed a love for God--at times--that he hadn't known before. Often that love took place in Big Church. More than not this happened during songs. For some reason, God spoke to JoJo in these songs. It was a communication of the heart. Because of this, JoJo's priorities changed. His friends noticed it before he did. Sure, he was still the class clown, but he had a much more sensitive heart.
God was presently working on JoJo's heart toward poor people. Previously, JoJo would make fun of poor people. He turned up his nose at anyone not dressed as nicely as him---even though he certainly was not a "best dressed candidate." He and his friends mocked those less fortunate than them. There was one girl, Samantha, the guys teased so much that she cried. But, that's not the half of it! Sure, they saw her cry once, but she cried every night. God impressed on JoJo's heart how wrong this was. He realized on his own that nobody in the ninth grade had a job----or maybe that was God, too.
This all came to a head on Feb. 1, 1976. JoJo sat in Big Church with his friends. After all, he was in High School, so he couldn't sit with his parents...and certainly not with Remi! The sermon that day was entitled: "Give and Be Given". The main text was from Luke 6:38, which was in red. JoJo knew that meant these were the words of Jesus.
"Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full---pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back."
This sounded great to JoJo! He knew he didn't have much to give, but he would still give...some. JoJo listened and even took notes. Suddenly, he put his pen down. Pastor G News quoted another verse that was a little hard to swallow. It was Psalms 41:1.
"Oh, the joys of those who are kind to the poor! The Lord rescues them when they are in trouble."
JoJo thought about Samantha. and others. Why did he think he was better than poor people?
He knew the answer...He wasn't. As a freshman in high school, life can be rough. Besides the Wake-Up Calls, upperclassmen treat you like dirt. Well, JoJo wanted to be just one rung higher than somebody...anybody! He thought it was Samantha and others like her. Now, he knew he was a Pure Punk. JoJo knew he needed to repent right then! However, he began to complain to God about his problems and issues...
The next thing he knew, the Choir stood up to sing. JoJo sat up straight. This was his favorite part of Big Church. The anthem for Feb 1, 1976 at the Smallville United Methodist Church was
"Trust Me."
The line: Do you give freely like you trust Me or do you hold back your faith like your giving? hit JoJo hard! He realized that he was giving some because he did not have faith enough to give freely.
He stopped complaining to God.
He thanked God for everything He had given him...which was everything.
He repented of his attitude, his pathetic treatment of people, and his lack of trusting God.
He asked God to forgive him.
He asked God to help him.
He prayed for Samantha...
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