Dear Friends,
This year, I visited an eye doctor for the first time in a number of years. My previous lenses were so scratched up that everything appeared blurry. And there, in a new doctor’s office, I learned that I am now in need of transitional lenses. This type of lens provides varying degrees of vision correction depending upon whether I am viewing objects from up close or from farther away. “Great,” I thought. “Problem solved!” Right? Well, not exactly.
Before ordering new eyeglasses, I was told that it would likely take me a couple of weeks to adjust to the new prescription, as my mind tried to make sense of the constant transitions required to meet my needs. In reality, the adjustment period was more like a month. Oddly, I fixed my vision problem with a new prescription only for my brain to rebel in response. Yes. The new prescription is better suited to compensate for my vision deficits, but my brain still struggled to be flexible and adapt to the needed change.
In life and in faith, how often do we want things to return to the way they once were, even if that earlier time was not as rosy as we would like to remember? Or, to put it more bluntly, when has our foresight and vision failed us? Friends, how might our life in community improve if we learned to trust in the process, understanding that a challenging adjustment period is necessary in order for us to come out stronger on the other side? This stewardship season, I encourage you to keep your eyes fixed on the long-term goals of serving Jesus. Be patient in the midst of inevitable transitions, and know that God will provide for you and for our congregation.
May you sense God’s blessings today and every day,
Jon
