I love it when awe-inspiring wisdom comes from unexpected
and innocent places.
This past spring I taught a Confirmation class of 24 eager
(okay, somewhat eager) middle and high school students. With such a large group
I knew it would be difficult to get to know them on a personal level so I
decided to do an activity to get to know them a little better. I printed out
random photos and placed around the classroom. There was a surfer riding a
monster wave….a bubbling mountain stream….a bird soaring through a blue sky…a
child being drug away from his computer by agitated parents...you get the
point. I asked the kids to choose the picture that currently described their
faith journey and be prepared to tell me why they chose it. I thought this
might be a little too challenging for the younger kids but was curious to see
what they would pick. I had one honest kid that chose the picture of the child
being drug away from his computer – it was obvious that this class wasn’t his
idea of fun. Other kids predictably teamed up and ran to the same pictures,
those easy to interpret. There were a few, however, who dared to stand on their
own. One of them was a quiet, shy sixth grade boy. I admit I was a bit hesitant
to call on him at first because I didn’t want to embarrass him but my curiosity
got the better of me. I had expected the boys to be drawn to the sports themed
pictures but he had chosen a beautiful scene in which the camera was focus up
into the trees as rays of sunlight broke through the leaves and scattered on
the forest floor. “Why did you choose this picture?” I asked. “How does it
describe your faith right now?”
His response blew me away.
“My faith is like the sunlight in this picture. Some of what
I learn about Jesus gets through, I understand it, and some of it doesn’t, I’m
still in the dark.”
Oh, if only we could all be as enlightened (and honest) as
this young man. It seems in this world we are told there is only value in
having all the answers. We don’t like to admit we don’t understand or comprehend
everything.
I was once at a meeting with two other ministers. I was a
brand new local pastor having served only a few months in a church while I
completed my final semester in seminary. Another minister was a season “pro” in
his 50’s having served most of his adult life as a church pastor. The third
pastor was newly retired but had been asked to return to supply a pulpit
temporarily; he was nearing 70. The retired pastor was eager to ask me
questions about my seminary studies. He quizzed me on the professors and the
kind of courses the seminary offered. The other pastor sat without comment.
After some time the retired minister asked, “Would they allow me to come and
audit some classes? I would love to refresh my mind and be challenged by some new
lessons,” and turning to the seasoned pastor asked, “Wouldn’t you?” To which he
uttered a scoffing laugh and said, “No, I learned everything I needed to know
the first time around.”
How sad to think that we have all the answers and there is
nothing new that God would have us to know. My sweet little confirmand had no
idea how wise his answer was. (Thank you Grayson for teaching your pastor
something that day). The light of Christ shines in all places of our
world…sometimes it gets through and we understand it…and sometimes we are still
in the dark. How glorious it would be if we allowed those shadows to prompt us
to draw closer to Christ and to know him more.
Lord, help us to see the shadows of uncertainty and the dark
corners of the unknown as challenges to dig deeper. Let us sit dazzling in the
sparkling glory of the forest floor and contemplate your mystery. Let us revel
and dance in the twinkling light of your love as we ask our questions and seek
your answers. May we ever be seekers of more…more of you…more answers…more
life…more love…more peace…more understanding….more.
Amen
