For Eyes to See

Earlier this week, PastorJosh posted this article. 

I fully believe we have the obligation to forward it to every Pastor, layman and Christian we know.  Bob Merritt reminded me, today, of the necessity of humility.  It's a lesson that bears repeating.  And repeating.  And repeating.

Merritt states, "Bill Hybels once said, 'The way I was doing God's work was destroying the work of God in me.'"  Who can't relate to that sentiment? 

Merritt continues, "When you hear the same themes repeated over and over again from a variety of people who've experienced what it's like to be on the other side of you, it gets your attention. You can hear the same themes from your kids or spouse, but you tend to blow it off, because you assume they're just ticked off at something or they are being hyper critical. You hear it, but you dismiss it."

I'm grateful for those people in my life--the ones who were willing to realign my sight when the bigger picture wasn't clear.  The ones who wouldn't allow me to dismiss vital information that changed me and changed the direction I was headed.  And I pray that we are all open to those words when they come, because I know how easy it is to push them aside and pretend the people offering the clear picture are walking outside God's will.

Sometimes the ugly truth is just that--ugly.  But it doesn't mean it's any less true.  When I've seen it staring at me from my mirror, it was a difficult reality to confront.   Unfortunately, it's impossible to cure a problem when we aren't treating the root of that problem. 

And the treatment begins with a willingness to see.