Cross Currents
Dear Friends
Easter Sunday, a barbeque with friends on the Chiltern’s,
gliders aloft - very pleasant! Gazing heavenward has always been
inspirational. The path of birds is a wonder that doesn’t quite fit our natural
experience. Many land lubbers experience pilgrims progress as a
narrowing upward trail with turnpike choices toward a destiny by the grit of
their own effort. Gliding by contrast seems so effortless, the path is so
fluid, the skill is in managing the cross currents. Could this be a more
appropriate metaphor for the Christian experience?
Each year an American insurance company lists the eleven most
dangerous road junctions. Jay Dennis and Jim Henry use this motif in their
book “Dangerous Intersections “ to explore intersecting challenges facing
the church. These include: the meaning vs. the experience of true worship,
family sensitive vs. damaging life choices, spiritual fads vs. doctrinal facts,
Jesus’ leadership style vs. corporate models and more.
Putting the two ideas together it seems that ‘the way’ is not so much about
choosing between alternate pathways, but balancing and exploiting the
pressure of unavoidable currents, whilst ‘pressing on’ toward the end in
mind.
In their leadership chapter, the authors offer ‘People Skills 101’ for
intersections which they illustrate with memorable aphorisms:
Be Loving: People don’t care how much you know until they know how
much you care.
Be Friendly: Always try to be a little kinder than necessary.
Be Truthful: People cannot change truth, but truth can change people.
Be Sensitive: Instead of putting people in their place, put yourself in
their place.
Be Confidential: People who gossip are often caught in their own mouth
traps.
Be Listening: Lend a man your ears and you open a pathway to his
heart.
Be Forgiving: Getting revenge makes you even with your enemy, but
forgiving him puts you ahead.
Be Laughing: Always laugh when you can. It’s cheap medicine.
Be Wise: Some people are wise, others are otherwise.
Be Humble: Stay humble or stumble.
It is not always easy being what we are supposed to be, but we are called
to become what God intends us to become. Enjoy the glide, like it or not,
people are looking up and they appreciate your journey.
Yours truly,
Victor