I dislike being reminded of things. I like to know what needs to be done, get after it and mark it off the list. It’s a style that can be both a gift and a curse! As we finished our walk one evening, Natalie told me there were aphids on the beautiful flowers in one of our four planters. It was my second reminder. I had other things I needed to do and, being the end of the week, I was a bit tired as well. It didn’t rise to critical in terms of importance, but I dutifully went about mixing the spray. I sprayed the flowers. In fact, I sprayed the flowers in all four planters as a precautionary measure! Good for me! Mark that task off the list! The next night after our walk, my wife noticed the plants looked a bit wilted, even though she had watered them that morning. I ventured into the garage to check the concentrate I had used. Had I mixed it correctly? I was sure I had. Had the chemical expired? I doubt that would make a big difference. Suddenly, the cause became clear. The bottle of concentrated Round Up looks similar to the bottle of concentrated insect spray!
I dislike being reminded of things. Maybe that’s why I’m not really enjoying church all that much right now. Every Sunday I’m reminded - by either the pastors or the congregation - which lives matter. I’m being told how to feel. I’m being told ‘do this, don’t do that’ (“can’t you read the signs”….sorry, I couldn’t help myself). I feel like I’m getting a new to-do list every week. Being a Christian is becoming a full-time job! I try to do the right thing, or at least I think I’m trying, but it feels difficult to get these Christian to-do items marked off my list. That raises my anxiety and makes me wonder if I’m worthy as a person. When I feel this way, I begin making comparisons. I listen to a message and I begin thinking, ‘brother Bill and sister Sue sure need to hear today’s message; it wasn’t really meant for me; I hope they were listening.'
When I have these thoughts, I am reminded of Scripture: "Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do." James 1:23-25, NIV. Sometimes we want to use the Word as a magnifying glass to look at others. But James tells us that the Word is not a magnifying glass, but rather a mirror. A mirror for looking at oneself
I dislike being reminded of things. But I remember that there is good reason why we are getting these reminders every Sunday. Even with all the attention, the situation just isn’t getting any better. Not even close. We try to shirk off the Christian to-do list we are given by claiming blue lives matter or all lives matter. Of course they do! But when we do this as a way to avoid looking at oneself in the Christian mirror as it relates to Black lives matter, we do ourselves - and the world around us - a disservice. Our to-do list is really no more than this: Love our God and love our neighbor. Really love our neighbor. It’s not that difficult; we’re making it out to be more than it is. We can do so much better. We can be so much better, together
I dislike being reminded of things. I think about what were, once, beautiful flowers. I didn’t want to spray those stupid aphids. I went through the motions to get something else off my list and end the reminders. If I had only adjusted my attitude. If I had only been more focused. As an aside, I’ve been using this story at work during the past couple weeks as a way to communicate consequences when we’re distracted. Sure, my dead flowers don’t rise to the level of a serious consequence. But distractions while driving, or using tools or operating machinery, or doing virtually anything else can cause serious consequences. My dead flowers remind me that I need to be more focused, and more sincere, in working through my Christian to-do list. Love my God and love my neighbor. Look in the mirror and polish any of my rough edges. Shirking those responsibilities - not looking at oneself, and instead examining others - could result in serious consequences! I’m going to reflect on that and try to be better. I think I’ll enjoy church more with that change in attitude. Maybe you can try it with me. I’m praying for us!
P.S. And I think the aphids lived!
Rick Meidel, his wife Natalie and daughter Sarah have attended St. John UMC since 2018. Rick can be reached at meidy@me.com or 832-418-9200.