He Did Not Fit

An unkept stranger strolled into the church.
His rumpled clothes were very worn, but clean.
Long hair reached down to meet his shaggy beard.
His face was gaunt, his limbs were long and lean.





The people glanced askance in disbelief.
What was this homeless creature doing here?
They all agreed that he did not belong,
and their displeasure made this very clear.





A meeting with the pastor then was held,
and people told him something must be done.
"Much higher is our class of people here.
We should not be connected with this one."





"I'll talk to him," the pastor told the group.
"He cannot ever be like one of us.
His threadbare clothes and shoes are out of style,
his hair is much too long, his beard a muss."





He told the man that he should not return
until he asked of Jesus if he knew
how he could dress to please God in this church.
If it were He, just what would Jesus do?





Next week the man again showed up at church.
He looked the same as when he came before.
The startled preacher stood with mouth agape,
as this disheveled man came through the door.





"Well, did you ask of Jesus what to do?"
"Oh Yes, and this is what He said to me."
"I have not set a foot inside that church,
because they never once invited me."