God’s House

2 Samuel 7:1 “…….Look, I’m living in a house made of cedar, while the ark of God remains in the tent.” ESV

Daniel stood staring at the big church building. It was the most opulent building in town. Outshining the court house, library and The Brewer Mansion. This had to be the most impressive modern honor to God ever built. 

His hands started shaking. A rustling noise reminded him of the newspaper he was holding. Church secretary. Okay, he didn’t go to school; 4 years of seminary to be a secretary. But if it got him in the door; got him closer to his true calling; he’d take it. 

One of the visibly heavy front double doors opened with ease. An older man with silver hair smiled. “Daniel?”

It took a moment for him to connect the dots that this man of God was speaking directly to him. “Yes,” he shook off his nerves. “Yes.”

The man laughed, “come in.”

Daniel was hit with cool air; a sharp contrast to the hot humid air outside. His nose was flooded with sweet smells. The inside was every bit as ornate as the outside. There were 6 men he could see, smiling, laughing and having a great time. He jumped as the heavy door was locked behind him. “Gotta keep the rif raf out.”

The laughter started all over. 

“Tell us why you want this job?” One man boomed over the laughter. All the men were dressed in khakis and a polo shirt with what Daniel guessed was the church logo. 

He couldn’t afford to blow this. At the same time, an uneasiness crept through his body. The laughter was gone and 6 pairs of steely eyes stared at him. 

Dry mouthed, he answered, “honestly sirs, I want my foot in the door. I think this job will give me valuable experience that will allow me to fulfill my ultimate goal of becoming a pastor.”

Another man scoffed, “your resume is lack luster.”

Daniel felt heat rise to his cheeks, “yes sirs. This will be my first real job.”

“How was seminary?” Another man asked.

“I grew up in church. My mom taught Sunday school classes. Seminary taught me how little I actually knew about the Bible.”

The oldest man drawled, “not from ‘round hur?” It was all Daniel could do not to smile. It struck him that this was the most honest thing he had encountered in a long time. Four little words spoken with a heavy cornbread accent. Country got a side eye from the man that had opened the door for Daniel. 

“No sir, I’m not.”

They marched Daniel through the sanctuary. Past rows of mahogany pews. And what seemed like acres of flowers in full bloom. That was the smell that he smelt. Flowers. Daniel had never seen so many real flowers in bloom; in person. 

The lead man turned a gold colored knob on a door so white Daniel thought it might glow in the dark. He followed him down a hallway to a small office lined with file cabinets. A small desk was in the center of the room facing the door. They had spent no money on this room. 

One of the men that had yet to speak handed Daniel a card that looked for the world like a credit card. “This is your key card to get in the back door.”

The lead man added, handing him a folder, “these are your duties. Monday – Thursday 8 to 5. Friday 8 to 3. And you will get paid to attend church on Sunday 10:30 to 12:30.”

“Yes, sirs.” Daniel accepted the folder. “Thank you.”

They gave him the grand tour. Most importantly, showed him the kitchen and the bathroom. “See you tomorrow.” They waved him off.