January 26, 2007

Egocentrism may be the sin of this century. The insidious nature of this sin is that it causes rifts between people without there being any apparent problem.

I participated in a conversation this week with a couple of friends. One of them observed to the other that there might be issues between them. The second replied that he didn’t know what the issue was. The first said, “I know.” I observed, “That’s the problem.”

We seem to be so caught up in our own world – with projects and challenges and appointments – that we don’t notice what’s happening with each other. Like the case with my two friends. The real tragedy is that my second friend never did seem to get my point.

I realize that we can’t expect the people around us to read our minds. We need to take the initiative to let them know. I had friends who were unhappy with me after my hospitalization that I hadn’t let them know. I understand.

I also realize that if you don’t take the initiative to let me know, I can ask. “What’s it like for you right now?” “What challenges can I be praying for?” “What is keeping you going? Is there anything I can do to help?”

The longer I listened to my friends, the more I realized how much I didn’t know about what they were facing in their lives. But then they had no idea how much they didn’t know about me either. Our conversation wasn’t completely wasted. We don’t see each other that often and we agreed to be more intentional the next time we’re together. That’s success.

“Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning, For in You do I trust; Cause me to know the way in which I should walk, For I lift up my soul to You.” Psalm 143:8

Rejoicing in hope,
Pastor Steve