Thursday, February 2, 2017

Avoiding the Light

For all who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed. John 3:20 (NRSV)

Right before Christmas, Mary Linda and I became aware of a young man who was homeless and needed a place to stay. We had a lot of discussion about it, much of it involving logistical difficulties. As we talked about it, I began to feel uncomfortable with the situation and expressed my frustration over it. Eventually, Mary Linda said "can we sit in worship around this?" I became aware of a part of me that didn't want to do that — the part of me that said "No, I don't want to be talked into this." But, we sat in worship, and as we did, I felt my objections falling away and we decided that we would offer space for him.

A few days later, I happened to read John 3:20, and I felt it was in some way talking about how I didn't want to sit in worship. There was something in me that did not want to come to the Light. It occurs to me that there are times when I hold so tightly to either wanting to do something or not wanting to do something that I am reluctant to bring it to the Light — to sit and listen for God's guidance. I must be willing to let go of that thing, and if I feel some reluctance to do that, perhaps I have some deep sense that it may not be what I am supposed to do.

1 comment:

  1. Yeah, seriously - this thing... We talk so much about "falling short of the mark" Thank you for writing about the times when we aim the other way or refuse to pick up our weapon.

    ReplyDelete