28 February 2010
I Was Thinking...
05/03/10 20:35
One of the dangers of church life is going blind. I do not mean that literally, but figuratively. Stay around a place long enough and we no longer see things that newcomers would immediately notice. Worn-out parking lots, worn carpet, walls in need of painting, light bulbs burned out – when first seen, they grab the attention. Leave them alone long enough and they just become so much background scenery, a part of the fabric. Only when they are seen in a new way are we prompted to action.
The same is true of lives given in service to the Lord. So many work so hard for so long that after awhile, service becomes expectation. No longer seen, just assumed. It takes something dramatic to help us realize that such service is a gift to be honored and treasured. Sometimes that dramatic moment comes in a departure, as in the old saying, “You don’t know what you’ve got until its gone.” Sometimes, it’s not quite that painful; it’s more like an awakening than a death.
One of those moments came for me this past Thursday. Our Baptist Women hosted the Care Fair for the young parents (too young, we would all say) of the Carrollton-Farmers Branch school district. At some point, in the midst of all the cooking, preparing, place-setting, hostessing, talking, and laughing, I was almost overwhelmed with a feeling of joyous thanksgiving. I said internally, “Lord, thank you for these people. I cannot tell you how much they mean to me.” That joy did not have to do with the particular event, although I think we are better people when we try to help someone. It had to do with them - their good humor, their obvious devotion, their patience with each other, their kindness to some kids (because that is all they are) who had made some mistakes. It was more than being proud to be their pastor. I am privileged to know them as Christian people. I was also, which is the theme of these words, a little ashamed of having so often taken them for granted.
My shame, though, was swallowed up by my gratitude. Gratitude for the individuals, for the team that they became in those hours; gratitude for the the opportunity to serve alongside them. Most important, gratitude for the gift of sight, of seeing people joined at the heart in service to our Lord. If you ever see that, you’ll never take it for granted again. It will change how you see things.
The same is true of lives given in service to the Lord. So many work so hard for so long that after awhile, service becomes expectation. No longer seen, just assumed. It takes something dramatic to help us realize that such service is a gift to be honored and treasured. Sometimes that dramatic moment comes in a departure, as in the old saying, “You don’t know what you’ve got until its gone.” Sometimes, it’s not quite that painful; it’s more like an awakening than a death.
One of those moments came for me this past Thursday. Our Baptist Women hosted the Care Fair for the young parents (too young, we would all say) of the Carrollton-Farmers Branch school district. At some point, in the midst of all the cooking, preparing, place-setting, hostessing, talking, and laughing, I was almost overwhelmed with a feeling of joyous thanksgiving. I said internally, “Lord, thank you for these people. I cannot tell you how much they mean to me.” That joy did not have to do with the particular event, although I think we are better people when we try to help someone. It had to do with them - their good humor, their obvious devotion, their patience with each other, their kindness to some kids (because that is all they are) who had made some mistakes. It was more than being proud to be their pastor. I am privileged to know them as Christian people. I was also, which is the theme of these words, a little ashamed of having so often taken them for granted.
My shame, though, was swallowed up by my gratitude. Gratitude for the individuals, for the team that they became in those hours; gratitude for the the opportunity to serve alongside them. Most important, gratitude for the gift of sight, of seeing people joined at the heart in service to our Lord. If you ever see that, you’ll never take it for granted again. It will change how you see things.