Lights Out?

We still regularly help Nathan with his bath time. This one particular instance I was giving Nathan a bath right before bedtime. He was doing his usual splish-splash business. When it’s time to rinse out the shampoo he likes to keep his head under the running water. On this evening I told him I would get most of the suds out of his hair and he could finish. I ended up getting it all out and quickly told him to finish up. As I got up I figured why not? I turned the light out so that when he got out from under the water he’d be in for a surprise. I waited at the light switch for him to open his eyes.

And I waited.

And I waited.

Obviously, a minute isn’t a very long time. It all depends on the circumstance. One minute can mean everything to someone sharing a dying moment with a loved one or be another minute in time-out for a child. For me, this minute dragged on like no other I’ve ever had—I was itching to get to my next task. In all it was probably only about (75) seconds. That’s how long it took him to open his eyes. By then I was ready to just forget my marvelous idea. I’m glad I waited. Sure it was worth the, “Hey, Dad, turn that light back on!” More than that though, later it was a reminder for me.

We in the church share a task and a great responsibility—to share the Gospel of our Lord and make disciples. It bothers me how we can settle in our congregations and limit the work God can do through us. Jesus’ words have yet to fail when He said the poor would always be with us. The need for ongoing assistance for health and food will always be a concern in our communities and around the world. But those are not the only needs. What keeps people in hunger? Please don’t be quick to assume people in those situations are deciding to be there and have yet to work harder. Trust me; things are not always so simple.

Abandonment, violence, abuse, discrimination, separation and illness are but a few other ways people suffer. I wonder if perhaps we don’t see the darkness around us because we keep our eyes closed. Surely we aren’t too busy to blatantly ignore those around us. Church cannot keep us so preoccupied we neglect to see the real needs of those who worship with us. All those we are not in our churches need to same kind of assurance of God’s grace as well.

Sure we should be thankful for the work we have been able to do. I am so proud to have been a part of some great work in the different churches we have been at, and I love to hear how they continue. How though could we ever believe we’ve done our part and are finished?

Well, maybe if we keep our head in the water. Shall we keep working? Stay blessed…john