by Candace Cortez
Around 6 years ago, I finally dragged myself into my
optometrist's office because I knew I needed glasses. My friends knew I needed
glasses because of how often they would catch me squinting to read the score at
the bottom of the television screen during a game, or to identify a person
sitting across the room. I knew it when I started being nervous about driving
my kids around after dark because I knew I couldn’t read street signs. I still remember the drive home with my
new pair of glasses and tearing up because I could see individual tree leaves
as well as the texture of the tree bark! Who knew how beautiful these details
and nuances of creation could be to one who had lived with blurred sight!
Recently I have transitioned into primarily wearing contact
lenses instead of glasses. This is mostly because snuggling with my kids often
meant smudges to my vision and active play that bumped my glasses into the
bridge of my nose pressed me into anger territory. The challenge to contacts
has been the cost. To save money on my disposable lenses, I purchased them in
bulk. My new problem is, sitting here on my couch right now, I can no longer
read the blue digital time on my oven clock. This is usually the first sign of
needing an upgraded prescription. I know, because I don’t want to “waste money”
I will most likely use the rest of my current batch of contacts before
returning to my doctor for an updated batch. It’s not so bad that I’m unsafe or
can’t enjoy life.
The goal is still the same: to clearly and effortlessly see
the world around me. The method and prescription required to do that, is
changing before my eyes. I am getting this same sense about the church and how
we achieve our goals.
First off, what is the goal? We all have mini goals and
gifts as church families. Some churches are talented at advocacy for social
justice issues, while others are great at feeding the hungry. Some still are
excellent at resourcing and training other churches and others are known to be
creative arts specialists. These are specific goals, and I am glad for the
freedom to be a different part of the Body of Christ. However, I believe the
main goal is simple: to worship God and reach those who don’t serve Him yet. I
also believe the way we go about doing this is shifting. Some individuals and
some groups will not adjust and maybe losing clarity of vision. I have been and
continue to find myself being one such individual.
Here’s an example. Recently I heard my tone (have you ever
had that moment of perfect echo, hearing yourself potentially through the ears
of the Holy Spirit?) turn negative towards primarily choosing to participate in
church services online. It was just a passing comment, but it set up one
behavior as less than another. I have loads of reasons why. And that load of
reasons has kept me from encouraging people who may refuse to step foot in a
Christian auditorium or sanctuary to tune in from their couch. This has kept me
from potentially encouraging someone who doesn’t love Jesus, to hear His
message of redemption and love through a device they are using already. All of
a sudden, I realized, that my reasons for refusing to update my list of
approved methods were limiting my ability to be used to build God’s Kingdom.
This is a tiny thing, but I
believe we make choices and judgments about the methods of spreading God’s love
without actually asking why. I don’t want to update my contact prescription
because I don’t want to waste what I currently own. This means I live a blurry
life. When we refuse to adjust, we compromise clarity for the goal Christ has
set before us: to make disciples. What are the things you may need to be
adjusting today? The message is the same. The prescription for getting there
will continue to need adjustments. Let us be humble, flexible, and good
stewards of the call.
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