One morning, my friend Tara lead our morning chapel time here at Reach Beyond. She made us all go outside and form a line, shoulder to shoulder, in the parking lot. Then she said:
Growing up...
If you had your own room, take a step forward.
If you ever went to bed hungry, take a step backwards.
If you had family traditions, take a step forward.
Growing up...
If you had your own room, take a step forward.
If you ever went to bed hungry, take a step backwards.
If you had family traditions, take a step forward.
If you believed law enforcement was the enemy, take a step backwards.
If you felt protected by your care givers step forward.
If you were ever abused, step backwards.
She went on and on with her list as we moved forward or backwards in relationship to each other. When she finished, the office staff was scattered around the parking lot, some of us way forwards, others way behind.
Tara asked us to look around and see where we were in relationship with each other. Because, while everyone worked in the same building, we didn't all have the same journey. She explained, some of us have experienced a lot more "headwind" in our lives. Obstacles to success.
Looking at the distance that divided the person in front and the person in back was a powerful and painful illustration.
As we engage with the people around us, we need to realize that. There are people still struggling against the headwind of their past. We all have different levels of it in our present. It is probably something you can't see, so don't judge too quickly. And always try to get their backstory.
She went on and on with her list as we moved forward or backwards in relationship to each other. When she finished, the office staff was scattered around the parking lot, some of us way forwards, others way behind.
Tara asked us to look around and see where we were in relationship with each other. Because, while everyone worked in the same building, we didn't all have the same journey. She explained, some of us have experienced a lot more "headwind" in our lives. Obstacles to success.
Looking at the distance that divided the person in front and the person in back was a powerful and painful illustration.
As we engage with the people around us, we need to realize that. There are people still struggling against the headwind of their past. We all have different levels of it in our present. It is probably something you can't see, so don't judge too quickly. And always try to get their backstory.
I won the game. Well, Tara says it's not something you can win, but I won anyway. I had moved farthest forward. That doesn't say anything about me. It says everything about my parents and the privilege they provided me.
What I also noticed was, the three of us at the front of the group all had something in common; a generational faith. We all came from families with rich faith traditions.
There's a lot of criticism of Christians and of the church. A lot of it is valid. What's also true is there is something about a life lived well, that impacts future generations. When you grow up in the home with parents who are authentic followers of Christ... there's a lot less headwind.
What I also noticed was, the three of us at the front of the group all had something in common; a generational faith. We all came from families with rich faith traditions.
There's a lot of criticism of Christians and of the church. A lot of it is valid. What's also true is there is something about a life lived well, that impacts future generations. When you grow up in the home with parents who are authentic followers of Christ... there's a lot less headwind.
