Near Sighted Ministry

                                                  

Near Sighted Ministry

 

Just a few years ago I needed to pick up a new pair of contacts and eye glasses when a thought hit me…Maybe I should get that eye surgery that eliminates the need for glasses. After some thought and a look at my finances I decided that it would be a good thing that could save me money in the long haul.

 

The day had arrived and I was nervous because I don’t like anything around my eyes. To my surprise about three minutes later both eyes were seeing perfect. I had perfect vision. The power of perfect vision is unending.

 

The doctors had warned me that after the surgery I would be rushed into age related farsightedness. I would have to get reading glasses sooner than expected. I bought a $5.00 pair at Wal-Mart and I am on my way.

 

I learned real fast that far sighted people can see distant objects clearly but struggle with objects close up. Today during my devotions I had to grab those $5.00 pair of reading glasses to enjoy my reading without strain. After going through this visual acuity I realized that this is exactly where we can go in our Christian walk.

 

Many times I re-evaluate my vision for our local church and my personal ministry. I take the time to teach and then lead a pursuit toward that vision. I am a man with a very clear vision but the older I get the more I realize that I suffer from farsightedness.

 

I can see clearly at times where God wants to take me and wants me to lead others. I can describe in great detail what the future looks like. The problem I have is that sometimes while seeing the future in unbelievable detail I see the present with strain and it appears fuzzy.

 

Our denomination has many of us looking for a brighter future. We are looking for financial integrity and a stronger missional emphasis. We are looking for the local vision to become paramount to the future of the larger church. We are looking for a paradigm shift that brings integrity back to the pastor and hope back to his members.

 

We have been through some type of spiritual eye surgery that has allowed us to see our future clearly if change comes and what it could be if change does not come. We have 20/20 vision for the first time in years. We are even at times able to see clearly things we wish we had never viewed. We now know how things are and the “fuzzy” has been lifted to reveal the real future.

 

The reality of this new vision in our denomination may have resulted in an early onset of farsightedness. We now may be able to see clearly the future and today maybe a blur.

 

I have a great local ministry opportunity and our vision is clearer today than ever. The future looks bright and attainable. I can describe with revelation and clarity. The problem however is that I am struggling to see up close.

Could it be that is where we are as a denomination? Could we be seeing our future clearly but today is very blurry? Fear and mistrust has blinded many of us to the fact that we still have today to make a difference in our communities. We still have today to love on a homeless person and clothe a child for school. We still have today to wipe the tears from a hurting face and pick up someone that has fallen. We still have this moment to speak kindness into the heart of someone that is broken. We have this very second to say I love you to our family and friends.

 

Many times in my struggle to see far away I trip over what is close. Sometimes in my desire to look down the road I miss the wonder of that right in front of my face. Sometimes in my desire to prepare for the future I loose appreciation of the present.

 

Lord, help me to see the future with clarity but help me not to miss what is right in front of me. Help our denomination to come our of the surgical process of the General Assembly with a clear vision but help us also see what  each day holds for us.  

 

I fixed my problem with a $5.00 pair of reading glasses from Wal-Mart; maybe our answer is that simple.