Short Sighted

Anytime I find myself reflecting, taking stock, and looking towards the future, I find my sight lines shorter than ever before.  It is as if I refuse to take stock of tomorrow, only the immediate matters.  It’s as if I toss my values and principles, ignore everything I hold dear to my heart, and begin the building process on the whim of the moment.  Even a realistic look at the present is off limits!  Only perceptions matter.  Short sighted is far more natural than perfect vision. 
 
I walk the streets of New York’s lower east side.  It’s easy to assess the vision of the community.  We’re walking with self-inflicted blinders.  It appears that we, I am far more alike than I willingly admit, limited our sight to the immediate.  I thought the attitude was unique to big cities.  It isn’t.  As I reflect on the happenings of Redlands the same parameters apply.  I’m as easily consumed by the busyness of the moment as I am in New York.  I am as easily driven by my perceptions and immediate needs here as I am there.  Even the fears, uncertainties, and doubts which haunt me in New York have found residence here!  It appears my limitations have taken us residence wherever I am.
 
In this context, when good things happen I reach a conclusion that doesn’t make sense in the bigger scheme of things.  Goods things happen – beauty, mercy, and community – and I think storms are on the way.  I find myself retelling a story of old.  “The foundations trembled at the sound of the angel voices, and then the whole house filled with smoke.  I said, ‘Doom!  It's Doomsday!  I'm as good as dead!  Every word I've ever spoken is tainted—blasphemous even!  And the people I live with talk the same way, using words that corrupt and desecrate.  And here I've looked God in the face!  The King!  God-of-the-Angel-Armies!’” (Isaiah 6.4, 5) 
 
Today is an opportunity to lift my eyes; to look beyond my blinders and see the possibilities.  God and possibilities are great friends.