First Baptist Church of Herndon

Now you see it - now you don't

Linda Soller | Feb 24, 2014

It’s been a tough winter for a lot of people across the country. Here in the DC area we got off to a rocky start, one inch of snow – oh no! But as the winter continues and the snow accumulations increase we grow ever so slightly more comfortable with the larger amounts of snow.  About two weeks ago we actually got 17”of snow in parts of the metro area from a single storm. I’m sure the storm had a name but for the life of me I can’t remember what it was. The road crews worked hard to get the area moving again, but they left us with a few challenges. Sometimes the large piles of snow made it difficult to see around corners, and then there were the disappearing lanes. Now you see it – now you don’t.

Some people see Christians like those lanes. One minute they are kind, giving, caring, faithful people trying to make the world a better place for everyone. That’s the “now you see it part.” The next minute they are self righteous, judgmental, and telling everyone else how to live. That’s the “now you don’t part.” Notice I said that some people see Christians this way; it’s not necessarily how they see Christianity. Maybe you are one of those people. Have you ever thought that Christianity would be great if it weren’t for the Christians? Well there are all kinds of Christians, like any other group of people, and I’m sad to say that having faith is no guarantee that you’ll always do or say what’s right. Actually it’s pretty certain you’ll continue to mess up because you’re human.  I just hate to hear people make those sweeping statements about any particular group because we’re all so individual. As we try to stay on the straight and narrow path, we sometimes lose our way, our lane just disappears, but we need to continue carefully down the road because life goes on.

Since that last big snow storm there’ve been smaller snow storms, and wonders of wonders there have also been some amazing spring like days. Smiles magically returned to faces, snow boots were left sitting sad and lonely by the door, and squirrels started to try and remember where in the world they hid those acorns. Christians like everyone else, including you, appreciate a break from winter, however brief. I know it’s still technically winter. Cold weather, maybe even more snow, will most likely return, but those huge piles of snow on each corner melted away in the warm sunshine, and our less than Christian like traits might just disappear if we try hard and if we pray. Now you see it – now you don’t.

Have a great week!  :o)    Linda