Recently a few of us went to a New England Conference for our denomination. As I spent 3 days in this environment of may cultures, different races, and age groups it was amazing on many different levels. To see so much energy utilized in so many different areas was something to be seen.
At the same time my heart was saddened, because it reminded me of taking the laundry out of the dryer, static cling. When it is all stuck together, yet has no connection with the other . Last time I checked people would frown if there were a striped shirt worn with a checkered vests. Regardless of the dryer sheets, sometimes that static cling just prevails. The same is said of which I witnessed with the Conferences Agenda versus the realities of what society, and our communities we serve are facing.
In our human state we all have issues and social causes that tug at our hearts and souls. I realized the disconnect of reality, awareness, and plight of different congregations, focus groups and prioritized initiatives laid out by leaders. That static cling somehow just really seems to hang in there, not wanting to separate from comfortable places. Just wanting to stay in that same place.
Unfortunately a great deal of what I witnessed was an undertone of something I have spoken of before. The issues run deeper than what tugs at our hearts. It runs deeper than working with and among the poor. Deeper than raising funds for malaria, earthquake relief, or hunger. It is class. Class separates us from within ourselves to be connected outwardly. It is divisive in the most subtle politeness, and poisons that attempt at reaching beyond comfort zones. When you see conversations or experience them, knowing that who you are speaking with hears "static' but is not listening, being polite.
At one point I had the privilege to hear a testimony of another mans plight. His story of being shunned by family. His heartbreak of being disowned by family, society, a worshipping body of believers, and more importantly knowing that those in his innermost circle of trust question his ability to lead because of who he is. That even while praying with them he is not truly accepted. Separated by a division of class that he has no decision in.
As I have pondered over these events of the last few days I begin to wonder how, why, when and where change of perceptions can come from dealing with the "static cling" of not breaking down the divisive walls of class. It is apparent that I have no real clues to figure this out, and even sadder is the realization that as a society it is just as unable to address this as I am. So that brings me to one conclusion.
As an individual I need to bring attention to it. Politely disengage from conversations while at the same time bring attention to the "hidden" undertone or direction. Bring awareness to the situation in a way that treats all with respect, courtesy, and at the same time bring a focus that might not be understood but possibly challenge the thinking process.
In reflecting and processing this situation for myself about all this "static cling" I thought about the clothesline my wife an I just put up. Maybe we are suppose to put our laundry out for the sun and fresh air to move and dry. Not air our"dirty laundry" but put a new clean freshness into the situation, and allow for the breeze of change to dictate the pace in a dryer environment to at least make that static cling less prevalent in our journeys.
EOJ
6/14/2012
