'Adjective Shifting'
I Was Thinking…
Here are some definitions…Introvert-a shy reticent person; Extrovert-an outgoing, overtly expressive person; Republican-belonging to, or characteristic of a republic; Democrat-an advocate or supporter of democracy. American-a native or citizen of the United States; Human being-any individual of the genus Homo, especially a member of the species Homo sapiens; Christian-a believer and follower of Jesus of Nazareth, his beliefs and practices.
There are all sorts of ways we can define ourselves and others. Some of us are short and some of us are tall. To a child, most of us are tall. Some of us are swift of feet and some of us are slow of foot. To a child most adults are swift of feet. Some of us are full of energy and some of us tire easily. To a child all of us adults tire easily.
I think we are in a season of ‘adjective shifting’. Over the past two weeks we seem to be less focused on Republican and Democrat and more on American. It is also true we seem then to be focused less on being American and more on sharing as human beings across the globe. Perhaps this is what has been needed more than we could realize or articulate.
We as United Methodist are now focused with great energy on our communities and less on whether we like or dislike any particular plan for the future of our beloved UM Church. I am not disappointed that General Conference has been postponed. And not because it avoids conflict but because it has felt to me for quite some time that we were losing our way and needed some ‘recalibration’ as a people of God.
I am not one who believes God has sent this curse upon the earth called COVID-19. But I passionately believe God will use this season of virus to teach all of us some new lessons and remind us of lessons we may have forgotten.
If you are an introvert, you may be enjoying these days of social distancing. If you are extrovert, like me, you may be missing the interaction with people. Yet both introverts and extroverts know we are in a season of imbalance and recalibration. We are in a season of ‘adjective shifting’.
My prayer for me and for you too, is that God will have God’s way in using this season as a time of maturing our hearts and minds beyond where we even thought they needed maturing. Where are my blind spots? Where are your blind spots? This is a great season for seeing new things and learning new ways.
“I once was lost but now I’m found, was blind but now I see…” May it be so again! May this season rebirth the child in all of us…eager to learn and see.
Always Thinking…
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