The Vision Thing

The optician at COSTCO, in Duluth, straightened my new spectacles and said, “Now, open your eyes and tell me what you see.”

I looked at the small print on the laminated card and said, “I see the words, but they’re fuzzy. It’s not quite right.”

Undeterred, the technician, Crystal, was confident. “Oh, you’ll get used to it. It takes awhile for your brain to adjust.”

I thought of the blind man who, when he was asked by Jesus, “Do you see anything now?” said, “I see men but they look like trees walking.” (Mk 8: 24) Well, it wasn’t quite that bad, but it wasn’t good either. It shouldn’t have been that difficult. I had ordered reading glasses to wear over my contact lenses. Identical frames and lenses as before – albeit, without the scruffs and scratches.

Unfamiliar with the lingo of optometrists, I tried my best as a layman: “The ‘sweet spot’ doesn’t seem to be in the right place.” I demonstrated. “When I move my head to the right I can read out of my right eye but the left is fuzzy. When I move my head to the left I can see clearly with that eye but not with the right one.”

Crystal took some quick measurements and reconfirmed her diagnosis: “It must be your brain.” 

“I don’t think so,” I protested. She went to get the manager. 

Sitting directly in front of me, the manager looked intently into my eyes, and then drew some marks on the new lenses. Removing my glasses she clamped the frames into a gizmo to calculate critical measurements. “Aha! I see the problem; the lenses are not properly aligned! We’ll have new glasses for you in a week – no extra charge.” 

As I left COSTCO, I felt we had made some headway, but I really hadn’t planned a return trip anytime soon to COSTCO.  I wondered, would I have to see Crystal again?

My wrestling with the technicians at COSTCO on the “vision thing” reminded me of the important work that’s being done at Gethsemane. 2700 years ago, when the Proverbs were assembled for what we call the Old Testament, one anonymous sage wrote, “When there is no vision, the people perish.” (Proverbs 29:18 KJV)  Yes, clear vision is critical.

Through the past several months, 6 members of Gethsemane’s Call Committee have been meeting and planning to engage willing members of Gethsemane to discern a shared vision for ministry as we look ahead to new pastoral leadership. The Call Committee will prepare a “Ministry Site Profile”, a comprehensive document that describes our unique history, the assets and needs of our congregation, and the specific skills desired in the pastoral candidates.  This document will be carefully considered first by our Bishop and staff. Then, the document will be available on-line for consideration by any potential pastoral candidates. Seeking as wide a perspective as possible, the Call Committee has distributed a Survey instrument to all Gethsemane members. In addition, the Committee created a fine visual, a “River of History” that has been on display in the Narthex. They have asked each member to complete the survey, and “put themselves into the River,” in order that a wide description of our history, hopes and dreams can be included in the MSP. Have you shared your perspective in this important effort?

In worship, within small groups, and within the devotional life of individuals, Gethsemane members are praying for clarity through this time of discernment. Thank you for all the ways you are helping our church focus on the essential things of mission and ministry! May God’s guiding Spirit help us to see clearly! 

It’s partly a brain thing. Even more, it’s a faith thing. As we enter our 61st year of ministry, let us be open to – and participating with - the Holy Spirit; the One who is always about the vision thing.

Pastor Mark