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| First Baptist Church of Augusta steeple |
There is a familiar idiom that goes like this- "he can't see the forest for the trees." We know it to mean that sometimes we get so caught up in the details that we miss the big picture.
Yesterday morning on my way to work, I took my usual route...left turn out of my driveway, right turn at the end of my street, another right turn at the four way intersection and about 70 yards later as the road curves to the left and heads downhill, over the trees I can see the very top part of the iconic steeple of my church- First Baptist Church of Augusta. It is only in view for a brief time because the road drops in elevation and eventually the steeple is lost behind the distant pine trees on the nearer horizon. But this morning, I noticed that I could no longer see the steeple at all. Those mighty pine trees have continued to grow taller every year and I am afraid that they have now reached a height such that my view of the steeple is no more...at least from one of my favorite vantage points. I can't see the steeple for the trees.
The steeple of First Baptist Church is one of the most beautiful ones you'll find. It is no longer common for churches to be built in that architectural style and that beautiful spire, painted a lovely cream color, rises high into the air as if pointing towards God Himself. At the very top of the steeple sits a cross...that symbol of hope for Christians everywhere. First Baptist Church's sanctuary was built in the early 1980's and that massive steeple became and remains a very familiar landmark in our area. But to me, it is more than just a landmark. Whenever I see that steeple from the many vantage points in our town, it reminds me that I am close to home...yes it is true that my house is nearby but, that's not what I am talking about. I know that my church home is near.
This is the place where I walked the aisle to publicly profess my faith in Jesus Christ at the age of 28. It is where I was baptized as a believer (28 years after the emergency Catholic baptism I received a few hours after my premature birth.) It is where our children were dedicated as babies and where they later made their professions of faith and followed in baptism. It is where I was ordained as a deacon and hands were laid on me in prayer and affirmation. It is where we joyously celebrated our daughter's wedding and where we mourned the loss of friends that had passed.
Yesterday, I lost sight of the steeple...I couldn't see it because it had become obscured by the trees. I thought about that throughout the day yesterday and wondered if I don't sometimes find myself living that kind of faith journey. I said earlier that not seeing the forest because of the trees means missing the big picture...the most important things. What are the trees that are blocking my ability to see? Maybe I get caught up in all the "works" I do in and around the church...oh sure they can be important and good things. Maybe it is the committees and meetings I take part in. Maybe it is the prickly debates about denominational distinctions and theological doctrine that can obscure what is more important. Maybe it is a misguided attention to budgets and attendance figures and positive congregational feedback. Maybe it is the busy-ness of life and my lack of time with God. Maybe it is my myopic focus on what God can do for me while being blind to those in need around me. I have a lot of big trees in my life that, while not necessarily bad things (though some are,) can be blocking the view of that to which I should be focusing.
Matthew, in the 22nd chapter of his gospel, recounts the story of the Pharisees coming to Jesus asking Him a question in an attempt to trip Him up. Verses 36- 39 say: "'Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the law?' Jesus replied, 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'love your neighbor as yourself.'"
How about you? Is there anything keeping you from "seeing" the steeple?
