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A Tale of Two ChurchesA modern-day parableKim Crawford

© Copyright 2022 Kim CrawfordA Tale ofTwo ChurchesA modern-day parableby Kim CrawfordCopyright © 2022 Kim Crawford All scripture references came either from the New Living Translation(referenced below) or were paraphrased by the author.Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation,copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used bypermission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.Illustrations were produced by the author in Canva. Editing was provided byKate Motaung at Refine Services. Visit www.kimcrawfordwrites.com to find more inspirational creativewritings.

But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it. James 1:22-25 New Living Translation

For churches everywhere May this look in the Mirror be remembered.

Chapter 1The Beginning Once upon a time, perhaps our time, two churches saton different hills with a deep valley between them.Built the same day, the churches appeared much thesame on the outside, for they were well-built andstrong. But their insides became a different story, andthe inside story is the one that counts.

On the day they were born the churches pledged their loyalty to God,their Father and Master Builder who spoke the universe into being andwho also knows the number of shingles on each roof. Their Father lovedthem, oh how He deeply loved them. Guess how much He loved them? To the grave and back. On that day He entrusted them with a mission: Tell the good news about My SonThe good news is for everyoneMake disciples and follow MeBe light in the darkness for all to seeBe one in purpose, don’t divideRemember—there is only one sideLove one another and live as one So the world will believe I sent My SonWhatever you say or do or beRemember that you represent MeStudy My heart, be like My Son. Be faithful to complete this mission. God placed a golden lampstand outside each church’s front door and litit with His glory. They shone brightly and boldly for the world to see, dayand night, drawing people to Himself.

In the valley between the churches God placed an extraordinarymirror. This mirror wasn’t like the mirrors found in stores ordisplayed on walls. It had no spots or streaks. It was unbreakable. And it had power—unmatched power. The power to change things.Even impossible things. And it spoke.God invited the churches to come to the mirror. It reminded themof who they were and Whose they were and how their relationshipwith Him had come at a great cost. It revealed their spots andstreaks, but it also offered hope because if they obeyed itsinstructions, they would be transformed into God’s image. God toldthe churches to come often to the mirror, to hear His heart and bereminded of their mission, because He knew how easily they couldbecome distracted. Every time the churches descended the valley,humbling themselves to listen to the mirror, it spoke to them. Andevery time as they would turn to go back home, it reminded them: You listened to My words. You heard My heart. Do what you heard as you depart.And always remember your mission.

Time passed, and the churches saw each other often in the valley. Thechurch buildings, which became known to each other as Oakland andOrrin, decided one day to meet for coffee after everyone went home.Oakland and Orrin became fast friends, and they started meetingweekly over coffee to share what was going on in their church bodies.They talked and laughed and cried over all sorts of stories. After eachmeeting, Oakland and Orrin returned to their respective hills andwaved from a distance, where they could still see one another becausethe light of their lampstands glowed brightly across the valley.Oakland and Orrin also saw each other a lot in the valley becausetheir people visited the Mirror all the time, eager to hear its words,listening intently to what it said. One day the Mirror told them, “Be kind and gentle and patient. Havegrace when other people mess up. Forgive them. Remember how Iforgave you?” On another day, the Mirror said, “Do everything without complainingand arguing.”

And another day, “Be humble. Think about others as if they are betterthan you. Don’t just look out for yourself. Care about what is importantto others, too.” Still another, “Love your neighbor. Treat them like you want to betreated. Who is your neighbor? Everyone is your neighbor, no matterwhat they look like or what they believe or how different you are fromthem.”And always, always, the Mirror reminded them of their mission.There was always something to learnfrom the Mirror. It shocked the churches’people how different its thoughts werefrom theirs. How different God’s heartwas from their own. The two churches longed to visit theMirror and soak in its truth. Their peoplewrote down what it said and thoughtabout it over and over and over. Theytalked about it inside the churchbuildings and in their own houses. They committed to follow the Mirror’s instructions and dedicatedthemselves to their mission. So the two churches grew strong andprospered, and Oakland and Orrin’s friendship over the years bondedthem together like brothers. And when Oakland and Orrin met for coffee,they exchanged stories of God’s amazing power moving in and throughHis people. But this would not always be the case.

Chapter 2The change Time passed. The people in Oakland’s church stayed unitedin heart and purpose, and they genuinely loved each other.They did not forget who they were and Whose they were.They stayed focused on their mission. When times weretough, even though it wasn’t easy, they learned how tofight for God instead of with each other. They listened tothe Mirror and obeyed its instructions. They remainedhealthy, and they grew. Their light burned bright and boldand pure, reflecting God’s glory, shining so brightly thatpeople from miles away wondered what the light from thehill was all about. They came to join the powerful work Godwas doing there. And though they were not perfect, theystayed strong and healthy because of their visits to theMirror and willingness to obey its instructions, theirnearness to God and understanding of His heart, and theirunity and dedication to their mission. Not so with the other church.

One day, the usual time came for the two churches to have their coffeeand sharing session. Oakland noticed from afar that Orrin didn’t look sogood. He moved slower. Oakland studied Orrin as he made his waythere and wondered, Is Orrin just having a bad day? Or is thissomething I should have noticed before? When Orrin arrived and satdown, Oakland could see weariness in Orrin’s eyes. Oakland said, “Youdon’t look so well, my friend. Is something wrong?”Orrin looked at Oakland, then he looked down at the ground. With aheavy heart he replied, “Something is wrong . . . very wrong . . . withmy people.”“What’s wrong with them?” asked Oakland. Embarrassed to share this report, Orrin said, “It started a while backwith some people arguing over the silliest things—when to meet, whatto sing, what to wear . . . what’s on the walls and in the halls. There wasa lot of, ‘I want this’ and ‘I want that.’ I’ve been hearing people saythings like, ‘This is my church,’ and ‘You’re going to upset someone ifyou change that,’ and ‘I know the Bible doesn’t say anything about it,but we’ve always done it this way.’”

Puzzled at this, Oakland said, “What do the things they’re arguingabout have to do with the mission?” “Absolutely nothing, which is why it’s so troubling,” declared Orrin.“More recently they’ve moved on to arguing about what’s going onoutside their walls. They are more interested in fighting for theirrights than doing what is right. And they get upset . . . a lot. It’s likethey have a new mission now: to get their way.”“Why do you think this is happening?” asked Oakland.“I’ve been trying to figure this out for a while now. I don’t know,exactly. All I know is, they go to the Mirror, and it tells them what todo. But they don’t do what it tells them to do when they leave. Theyjust do whatever they want. I actually think they think God’s okaywith it. But they don’t ask Him what He thinks anymore.” Orrinlowered his head, embarrassed. “It makes me sick.” Orrin looked upagain at Oakland and asked, “Do your people ever talk like this?” Oakland circled through his memory and replied, “I hear my peopleask God what He thinks and what He wants . . . Come to think of it,they ask Him that a lot.”

Orrin lowered his eyes again. “My people used to do that.” He sighed,pausing as if watching a flood of old and precious distant memoriespass by. Those were the days, he thought. “I remember how I used tofeel strong and healthy, full of life and purpose. Now, each time whenmy people, even just a handful of them, act like this, something newseems to break down inside me. I ignored it at first, hoping it wouldjust go away, eventually work itself out. But now . . . it’s spreading and Iknow it’s starting to show in a way that’s hard to miss. I’m sure I’m asight to see, but my people haven’t been to the Mirror in the pastcouple of weeks so I can see what I look like. I’m sure the Mirror wouldhave a lot to say to them about all of this.” Oakland reported, “It does. This week the Mirror reminded my people,‘Jesus had the right to stay put. But He gave up His rights . . . to saveYOU. He humbled Himself and obeyed His Father, carrying out Hismission to the death. Be like Him.’ When my people went home, I heardthem talking about this. I heard thepastor say, ‘Jesus never got distractedfrom His mission. He didn’t change itwhen people didn’t like it, even whenthe church leaders and His ownfollowers didn’t like it. He didn’t walkaway from it when life got hard. Hestayed focused on and remainedcommitted to His mission until Hecould say, ‘It is finished.’ We need tobe like Him.”

Orrin reflected on these words, thinking how perfect the timingwould have been for his people to hear them . . . If only they hadbeen there. But even if they had, would they have done what it toldthem to do? Orrin said, “I wish my people had been there. Theyneeded to hear this. You know what else I’ve noticed? The peoplewho walk by don’t want to visit us anymore. And I don’t think thatmatters to my people at all. I keep hoping they will come to theirsenses. Maybe then this thing could turn around. If they don’t, I’mnot sure what’s going to happen.” Oakland put his arm around Orrin and encouraged him. “Of course itcan turn around. Remember that day the Mirror told us a long timeago, ‘With God everything is possible’? Hold onto that, my friend.Even though things have changed, nothing about God has changed.”Orrin mustered up a sad smile. “You’re right. That is something I cancount on.” It was time to start heading back home. Oakland said, “I hope to seeyou at the Mirror tomorrow.” “Me too, friend,” said Orrin. More thanyou know, he thought. The two friends hugged and went home.

Chapter 3The revelation The time came for the two friends to meet again. Oakland satwith his coffee, eagerly watching for Orrin’s arrival. Tenminutes turned into twenty, then thirty. Growing concerned,Oakland wondered if Orrin had forgotten to come today. Orworse. After an hour, Oakland started to pace. Should I golooking for Orrin? he wondered. Before he could decide, henoticed just around the corner a very pale-looking Orrinmaking his way toward him. He was moving much slower. IfOakland hadn’t known they were meeting today, he would nothave recognized him. Orrin was leaning on a cane. Each stephe took required considerable effort. Oakland hurried overand walked alongside Orrin, supporting him until he wassettled. Tomorrow came, and there was no sign of Orrin at the Mirror.He wasn’t there the next day, or the next. The whole weekwent by, and no Orrin.

“You made it. I was beginning to worry,” Oakland began. Orrin slowly lifted his head. “Yeah I made it, but I’m moving evenslower this week.” “What happened since we met last time?” asked Oakland. “I washoping things would turn around and change.”“Oh, things are changing. But not in a good way. People are leaving.And no new people are coming. I just wish I understood how we gothere.” Orrin had to stop, because the pain took over. He clutched at hischest, where it hurt the most. It was hard to get a full breath. “The painis getting worse.”Oakland studied Orrin as he held onto his chest. His mind rolled back intime, back to when Orrin was full of life and strong and growing. Howdid this happen? What terrible thing could wreak this much havoc? Andthen he remembered something.

Something that caused an even deeper concern to rise withinhim. Was this what was happening to his best friend? Thesilence between them got heavier. Oakland knew he had tosay it. “I hope I’m wrong, but I think I might know what’s going oninside you Orrin,” said Oakland. Orrin, eager to understand what was causing him such painreplied, “Please . . . I want to know. We need to fix this. I wantto be strong and powerful again. What do you think is myproblem?” Oakland’s eyes moved to where Orrin was clutching his chest.“It’s right there.” Orrin looked down at his hand over his chest. He looked back atOrrin with a question in his eyes.“You have a heart problem,” declared Oakland. “A heartproblem? What do you mean?” Orrin asked.

Oakland went on, “My people were at the Mirror this morning, and itwarned them about something that sounds like what you’ve beentelling me. It said people can say they follow God, even think theyfollow Him . . . but not be following Him at all. They think they areworshipping Him, but God says their worship is worthless.” Orrin was confused. “How can worship be worthless?” he asked.Oakland answered, “Because their hearts are far away from God andHis heart. They would rather do things their way, keep their precioustraditions that have nothing to do with God’s Word, and follow theirideas instead of His.”“That sounds familiar,” said Orrin. “So people can think, even be surethey’re following God but not be following Him at all? That’s scary.”“It is scary,” Oakland replied. “Remember howsome of God’s people missed Jesus when He came?They didn’t miss Him because they didn’t knowGod’s Word. They could rattle it off any day, anytime. They missed Him because they didn’tunderstand God’s heart, the heart behind thewords. When He showed up on the planet, theydidn’t think He was God because He didn’t look likewhat they expected God to look like. So theycompletely missed Him. And they didn’t follow Him.Well, they did follow Him—but only to criticize andtry to control Him. They thought the way theytreated Him was doing God a favor.”

Oakland wished he could offer an easy answer, but the truth isn’talways easy. He said, “If your roof was caving in or your windows werecracked or even if your walls were falling down, this would be an easyfix. But a heart problem is a much deeper problem. The church’s pulseruns on the heart of its people, and if their heart isn’t following God’sheart, the prognosis isn’t good,” declared Oakland. “What a messed up group of God’s people,” Orrin replied.“Yes, they were. But God’s plan prevailed over their grave choices,”Oakland offered. Orrin pondered the similarities between his people now and God’speople of the past. His heart tightened and throbbed. Wincing withpain and realization, he thought to himself, This is not what I wasmeant to be. In desperation he asked, “How can my people fix this? Iwant to feel healthy and strong again. What do you think my peopleneed to do?” “The Mirror warned us about this. It can happen to any church. Evenchurches that start out with the rightheart, like yours and mine. Somewherealong the way, God’s people getdistracted and deceived. They focus onwhat’s important to them and losesight of what’s important to God. Itclouds the truth and becomes theirmission. Perhaps the greatestdeception of all is thinking you’reacting on God’s behalf.”

“Kind of like the Pharisees,” Orrin stated.“Just like the Pharisees,” said Oakland. “People can’t just listen toGod’s words or memorize them. They need to understand His heartand let His heart continually change theirs. A heart after His heartwill be more likely to do what He tells them to do. Even when itdoesn’t make sense. Even when they don’t like it. Even when theythink they have a better way of doing things. It’s so easy for God’speople to get distracted and deceived, so they should never let theirguard down. They must guard their hearts, making sure God’s heartdrives theirs, that His ways are their ways, and that His missionremains their mission.”“Do you think it’s too late for my people? Is there any chance theycan fix this?” asked Orrin. “The Mirror said something this morning that answers that question.It told my people about a conversation King Solomon had with Godafter he built God’s first church building, the Temple. There was goodnews and bad news: God said if His people disobeyed Him, therewould be consequences—no rain, destroyed crops, sicknesses. Godalso said that when this happened, if His people would humblethemselves, pray, seek Him, and repent of their sin, He would hearand forgive and restore them.

Oakland didn’t want to share this next part, but his friend needed thetruth. “Well, it can actually get worse. God said if they disobeyed andfollowed other gods, He would kick them out and they would losetheir church. And to the watching world, their church would be ajoke.” Orrin bent over, as if he’d received a punch in the gut. Oaklandleaned over. “I’m sorry, Orrin. I don’t mean to hurt you.”“It’s not your fault, Oakland. I know you’re right about this, and I’mgrateful you’ve told me. I just wish my people could see it.”Seeing how much this hurt his friend, Oakland gathered up somereassuring words, hoping to encourage his friend. “Orrin, God is stillin the business of fixing hearts. He can fix yours. You can heal fromthis.” Oakland paused, waiting for Orrin to process this. He would restore them. Which is a great reminder to us all: only Godcan fix a heart problem. But your people need to see they’ve gotone. If they humble themselves and acknowledge this, ask God toforgive them and recommit to follow Him and His heart and do whatHe tells them to do, God will restore them.” “But what if they don’t? What happens then?” inquired Orrin.

“I know you’re right . . . and I keep trying to hold on to the promise thatwith God all things are possible. I just don’t see any ‘with God’ going onright now with my people.” Something caught Orrin’s eye in thedistance, drawing his attention away from the conversation.Oakland asked, “What are you looking at?” “You know how you said it can get worse? It looks like it already has,”replied Orrin. He pointed across the road to his hill. “Take a look—mylampstand is flickering.” A single tear fell from his weary eyes. His heartclenched again. “I’d better go,” he said. “It’s going to take me a while toget back home.”The two friends returned to their respective hills. They continued tomeet for the next couple of months. Although they held onto hope asmuch as they could, Orrin continued looking worse with every visit.

Chapter 4The decision One morning on a piercing cold winter’s day, Oakland made hisway over to meet his friend as usual, hoping this might be theday he’d see his friend make a turn for the better. But there wasOrrin, making his way toward him slower than ever, stillstruggling with each step. He could barely walk even with thecane, and now he was carrying something to help him breathe.Oakland went over to help him, but when he got there, Orrincollapsed. He was struggling to breathe, grabbing onto his chest.With the only energy he could muster, Orrin said, “I camebecause I wanted to see you one last time.”Alarm flashed across Oakland’s eyes. “One last time? What doyou mean?” “I’m afraid this might be our last visit.” Orrin paused, strugglingto catch another breath to continue. “There are only a handful ofmy people left, and there’s a big meeting tonight to decide whatwill happen to me,” Orrin shared.

Oakland’s own heart was pierced with pain as it broke. With fierceconviction he fell to his knees, put his hands on Orrin’s shoulders and said,“Look at me, Orrin. Don’t talk like that. Nothing is going to happen to you.Do you hear me? Nothing. It can’t. I can’t bear the thought of losing mybest friend. You have to stay strong.” With tear-filled eyes and exhaustion from pain, Orrin said, “I want to,Oakland. But you and I know this isn’t up to me. And it isn’t up to you. Itnever has been. We are just observers. It’s out of our hands.” Oakland held his friend close. As his own tears joined Orrin’s, a puddleformed between them. Silence fell between the two friends for what feltlike hours. Orrin could feel himself getting even sicker . . . and weaker. His breathingslowed even more. He looked at Oakland and said, “I have to go now.Goodbye, old friend.” With everything he had left, Orrin turned to beginmaking his journey home. After a few short steps, he stopped and lookedback at Oakland and said, “I hope your people will always know God’s heartand remember their mission. Because I know firsthand what happens whenthey forget.” He turned back around and kept going, slowly but surely.

Oakland watched the whole way. A mountain ofmemories flashed before his eyes. He watched as Orrinreached the bottom of the hill, where he proceeded todrag himself all the way to the top. Orrin took his placeon the hill where the light from his lampstand, once bold,bright, and clear, was now barely visible. Once he was settled, Orrin looked across the valley,locked eyes with Oakland, and the two friends waved toeach other like they always did. Orrin lowered his hand. Oakland made his way back home. Night began to fall,and Oakland looked across the valley at his friend. Abright, glowing Someone appeared and removed Orrin’slampstand, and Orrin closed his eyes and doors forever.He’s gone. Oakland cried out, “Orrin!”But he knew there would be no answer.Oakland fell to his knees and began tosob a series of tears, as grief and angerintermingled in his mind and heart.

Chapter 5The beginning Several weeks passed before Oakland gathered enough strength tovisit the place where Orrin once stood. He didn’t know why he wasgoing there. Orrin was gone. Nothing could bring him back. Butsomething or Someone was drawing him, so he went. In the place where Orrin once stood tall and strong, there was amound of dirt that had buried his best friend. He wished he hadbrought something with him, flowers maybe, to lay on top of themound. But he had nothing to offer. Fresh tears arrived as Oaklandcollapsed onto the mound, longing for one more conversation withOrrin. Grief and anger continued to compete for first place in hisheart. Oakland put his face down on the ground, beating his fistsinto the dirt. “Orrin, can you hear me? It’s me, your best friend. I’mstill here. I just . . . want you to be here, too.” But there was no answer.

Nothing will bring him back. Oakland gathered himself to sit onthe mound. He grabbed a handful of dirt in his right hand andheld it in front of his eyes. He began to sift it between hisfingers, and it cascaded back to the ground. With nothing left inhis hand, his eyes caught sight of something he hadn’t noticedbefore. Something was at the end of the mound of dirt. Wherethere would normally be a tombstone sat a sign:Oakland stared at it. Fresh tears began to fall to the ground as anew reality set in. And then the anger came back. Why is that signthere? How dare someone sell this holy ground! Looking down atthe ground, he saw where his tears had melded into the dirt,forming tiny pockets of mud here and there. He gathered up ahandful of the dirt-mud mixture and started to throw it at thedreaded sign, but before he could, a new thought abruptlystopped him. For Sale

A week later from a short distance away, Oakland watched theFor Sale sign come down. He walked over to the place whereOrrin once stood, the ground that Oakland now owned.Reaching inside his church body, Oakland removed a smallportion of his heart and planted it in the ground. He stepped back and looked at it, even though nothing wasreally there. Then he felt something move. The ground wasthump-thumping. The rise and fall of the dirt mound signaledthat new life was on the way. He laid his hand back down as the thought swirled into an idea.Mulling it over, the thought grew with purpose and hope. Witha new resolve, Oakland made a decision that very moment. “Iwill not let anyone build a house here, or a business, oranything else. This place was holy ground once before, andholy ground it will be again.” Oakland made a promise to hisfriend then left quickly, for he had much to figure out.

Oakland knew that words, however strongly engraved, would not beenough to keep this new church alive. He knew all too well how easilya church could become lost to distraction, deception, anddisobedience. It would have to guard its heart, stay focused, and obeythe words of the Mirror, staying connected to God by the greatpower source—prayer. Oakland heard a small group of people arrive. They were carrying anew church sign, and they placed it where the For Sale sign hadbeen. These were Oakland’s people. They had volunteered toattend, shepherd, and nurture this new church. Oakland watchedwhile underneath the church’s name they engraved the church’smission—God’s mission—set in stone. Oakland watched as his people stepped back, held hands, kneeleddown, and bowed their heads. The beautiful sound of God’s peoplepraying, hungering for His presence and instructions, gave him hope.He heard them commit to do everything they could to help this newchurch guard its heart and fulfill its mission. When they finished praying, they stood up, hugged each other, andmade their way home.God's Church Tell the good news about My SonThe good news is for everyoneMake disciples and follow MeBe light in the darkness for all to seeBe one in purpose, don’t divideRemember—there is only one sideLove one another and live as one So the world will believe I sent My SonWhatever you say or do or beRemember that you represent MeStudy My heart, be like My Son. Be faithful to complete this mission.

Oakland noticed something new on the ground where they hadbeen praying. He moved closer to see what it was. Just barelyabove the ground, something had appeared. Formless at first, hewatched as Someone appeared to be crafting it into something.Like clay in the hands of a potter, the form took shape and therebefore him sat the tiniest little church building. Oakland smiled at the new life that had budded right in front ofhim. Grateful for this, he turned to walk home. But before he tookhis first step, he heard a voice call out, “Excuse me, Mister.”Oakland whipped around at the sound. Was this little churchtalking to him? Like a baby, crawling on its hands and knees, the little churchmade its way over to him. “My name is Sprout. What’s yours?”“Hello there, little one. I’m Oakland.” Sprout looked ready to burst with questions. He started with,“Are you my Father?”

Oakland chuckled to himself before responding, “No, Sprout.I’m not your father. But I know who your Father is. And He lovesyou more than you will ever know.”“Would you please tell me about Him?” Sprout asked.And so began the first of many conversations Oakland andSprout would have together. Oakland knew one day he wouldtell Sprout about Orrin. But for now, it was enough to mentorSprout and watch him begin to grow into a church that wouldbear fruit for God’s Kingdom.On his way home that day, Oakland stopped in the valley, ashe so often did, to hear from the Mirror. And today, thisbeautiful day, the Mirror said, “Well done, My good andfaithful servant.”

And then he saw it arrive. A new lampstand appeared. A new church was born.With gratefulness, joy, and hope for Sprout’s future,Oakland made his way back home and settled in for theevening. Without even thinking, he looked across thevalley as he had done so many times over the years towave at Orrin, and he waved at little Sprout. Sprout’stiny little hand waved back. Oakland remembered hisbest friend and thought out loud, “Orrin, you would bepleased.”

Visit www.kimcrawfordwrites.com for more inspirational creative writings.About the AuthorKim Crawford is a creative thinker, writer, andmusician who desires to use these gifts to glorify Godand bless others. Her creative writings challengeherself and others to learn more about God andunderstand what it means to follow Jesus in a brokenworld. This is her first book.