For everything we state to be our beliefs, whether it's with our religion, politics, philosophies, or lifestyle choices I feel as though we sometimes put our "doctrines" before what we have witnessed with our eyes and hearts. If you'll allow me a moment to tell a personal story maybe it would help explain what I mean.
About a week ago I was still in my "the world is ending, be prepared, be prepared O young people" funk. I was so engrossed in what the scripture was saying, so enveloped in bringing my personal message to those around me I had forgotten to take a look at what was happening with those people who were around me. Every conversation I was in I turned to, "So, do you think we're ready for the impending change in history?" Every though every thought in my head was, "What can I do to bring awareness to this problem?" Every feel in my heart was that of sadness and deep concern that we're not going to be able to "defeat" the "enemy" when it comes. (Why is everything I'm writing have air bunnies.)
I had immersed myself in the doctrine of the scripture and began to believe it was my role to get the message out. I had forgotten, no, worse, ignored what was happening right in front of me. Today's lectionary reading from Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-9 talks about just this thing. In the passage we hear Moses as he speaks to the gathered people about the statutes and ordinances they are being taught. Moses uses this speech to ask for obedience to the law as passed down to him by God.
However, stuck right there in the middle of his speech, and at the end of our lectionary passage, we see this: "But take care and watch yourselves closely, so as neither to forget the things that your eyes have seen nor to let them slip from your mind all the days of your life." In other words, yes, these are good laws I've presented to you, but never forget the things you have seen with your own eyes and how God has worked in your lives.
And there it is - I had forgotten to be a witness of the things that are happening around me. Since I've decided to get off my "end of the world" way of life (last week Thursday, I think) I've been able to see some of the pain the youth I work with everyday are going through and have been able to be the presence of Christ I strive to be in their lives. I had never stopped loving them, I had just forgotten to walk with them as they go through their lives.
I'm in a better place now, but that place isn't "my" place; it's a place I can share with those around me and my God. Want to come in and sit a while?
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