Theology in the Trenches August 24
A Whole New Lingo
The phone call came out of nowhere. It was from a medical provider who began asking for a someone who did not live within our household. Soon, it was evident that they’d called the wrong number, and before hanging up, the person merely stated, “My bad!” I paused to register what had been spoken, and soon realized that the apology given had been tied up in two words.
New lingo is nothing new. But when it spills across professional lines and into the work space as though it were nothing new—that’s new to me. I was expecting, “I’m sorry. I must have called the wrong number.” The realization hit that this was the first thing I did wrong—I had an expectation. In this instance, not only was polite not met, but the privacy factor had been breached and now I knew more than I should have as they rattled off TMI (too much information) before they realized they were speaking to the wrong person.
It was yet another grieving process in letting go of what the norm used to look like compared to what it is now. However, there are some things that will never change and it’s in moments like these that I must remember.
What will never change? Opportunities for growth will never change. Rather than an “Oh My!”—perhaps the realization that an opportunity had just presented itself. The opportunity was given for grace to not only one’s self for being disappointed that times have changed—but also for the innocence of those who unknowingly disappoint. An opportunity to love my neighbor as myself is a beautiful gift to not only give but to receive. After all, who doesn’t like an opportunity?
More times than not, I’m so busy exhaling frustration, that I forget to breathe in the reception of opportunity to love well the other who has disappointed. “He knows our needs before we even ask,” says Matt. 6:8. Thus, if He knows my needs, He knows what others need from me and exasperation perhaps is not exactly what others need. Hold that thought, hold that tongue, hold on to what is required of me.
And what is that? What is required of me? The Old Testament prophet Micah said it best. “To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
May I elaborate on what was not spoken? He did not say to hand out lots of injustices by punishing the offenses we perceive as real. He did not say to hate mercilessly because that’s much more organic within the human condition. He did not say strut with an ever-present love of self as if you are the most important thing in this world. No, He did not say that which seems to be a natural extension of self—as in selfish rather than self-giving or self-sacrificing on behalf of the other.
That’s what’s fun this side of the veil. Always a new reminder of the old as He makes all things new. Isaiah 43:19 says it best. “Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?” Always an opportunity for growth spurts this side of the veil. Thank God. Amen.