Dear Faith Family,
I don't know about you, but I am a master at missing the point. While I'd like to think I am an astute listener, the truth is, especially in relational dialogue, I am often guilty of focusing on the wrong detail or, sadly, not focusing at all! Don't believe me? Just ask Deedra or the twins!
Whether my mind is busy elsewhere, instinctively pre-filling details, or searching for affirmation of my thoughts, if I am not careful and curious, it is unfortunately not uncommon for me to miss not only the point of someone's story (usually someone I care about) but also the opportunity for communion, for connection that the storyteller is inviting me into.
It doesn't take much, a dazed look perhaps or an uninvited suggestion to put an end to the conversation. But the worst and most effective way to sever the connection arrives in the awkward phrasing of a follow-up question or comment, proving that I wasn't really listening. Kind of like when Jesus' disciples said, "Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field." (Matt. 13:36).
It's easy to miss the missed point in the disciples' phrasing because of the unfortunate section heading added in most of our Bibles, "The Parable of the Weeds." But if you read Matthew 13:24-30 for yourself (which I'd encourage you to do!), you quickly discover that the story is not primarily about the weeds, though they have a prominent place. Rather, the focus is on how the man who sowed good seeds reacts to the weeds to ensure the health and harvest of the wheat, the fruit of the good seed.
Still, the disciples heard a story about weeds only. So, rather than expounding the intimate patience and precision of the sower of good and his workers amid the persistent presence of evil, the disciples get what one pastor, in summarizing almost every biblical scholar's angst with the conversation, refers to as "an out-of-whack [allegory] about the problem of evil alone" (see Matt. 13:37-43). While the disciples got an explanation, at least in part (i.e., good wins, evil loses), the communion of conversation ended, "He who has ears, let him hear." (v. 43)
I'm sure you can think of conversations with people like me and Jesus' disciples, those of us prone to miss the point and kill the conversation. Perhaps you can think of conversations when you were like us? (If I could insert a winking smiley face emoji here, I would!)
But here is my point: I've found that what is true in my daily dialogues is just as true in my relationship with the words of Jesus. If I am not careful--i.e., attentive and fully present--and curious--i.e., open and engaged--I'll miss the point and the opportunity for a deeper connection. Luckily for us, Jesus modeled the patience and precision of the sower of good seeds by telling more stories to those following him (see Matt. 13:44-50). It turns out he really doesn't want us to miss the point, or the opportunity for something more.
So, this week, as you reflect on the parables already told and prepare for our final story in this year's Kingdom Epiphanies, don't be like me! Listen carefully, with curiosity, and take advantage of the opportunity through scripture and the Spirit for communion.
Grace and peace many times over to you as you deepen in your experience with God and Jesus, our Master.
(2 Peter 1:2)
Love you, faith family! God bless.