We set out to find the missing cat, exploring alleys, yards, drainage ditches, and the like. Nothing. After about an hour people started asking, "What are you doing?" We explained and looked, explained and looked. One lady said, "There is a house over in the next block that has a bunch of cats, you might check over there." I walked over to that house and saw 5 cats sitting calmly on the porch. They must be in "agoraphobic therapy" I thought. They are confident enough to go outside, but not not comfortable enough to leave the porch. No luck. I thought like-cats would attract. I was wrong.

My wife took the car and began looking and my son took off on his skateboard to cover more ground. The funny thing is the more I walked the alleys, the more people I met. I told folks where we lived and they promised they would send Raz our way if thy saw him. One couple being led by a St. Bernard said they would "keep their eye out for him." I'm thinking ,"If this cat was agoraphobic before, once he sees that big monster he really will need therapy.

Finally, about 2 hours, 3 look-alike false alarms, and 11 neighbors later Raz comes strolling (that cocky kind of "what's all the fuss about?" walk) into the front yard. He's back. I grabbed him and put him inside where he belongs. I let the outside cat back out. Everyone is in their proper place.

Christians are huddling all over to develop, grow, and support one another. It's not that we are agoraphobic, but our actions might say otherwise. Bible studies and worship and fellowship and meetings-they are all a means, right? A careful look at my life this week in spending several hours virtually every night getting ready for our wonderful Dinner Theatre is fortunately an anomaly. I don't do this every week. I couldn't.

I just wonder what would happen if I spend that same kind of Dinner-Theatre- like intensity in merely being the Gospel every moment, for a whole week. What would happen? I'm pretty sure some of it could really be good. Maybe I am agoraphobic too, and I am using my "church activities" as my haven from a world that is is just dying to live.

My inside cat is back in and my outside cat is out exploring the world. Tonight, I go to dress rehearsal, another shelter from a waiting world. I see people go in and out of the church building for meetings, strategy sessions on "being the church," and study. In the meantime, my outside cat is a better lover of my neighborhood than I am. I just pet my inside cat, pray, read, and hope that somehow someone can love my neighbors.

If my inside cat gets out again, maybe I should go with him...or maybe I should just open the door and follow him.