11-08-25

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
November 8, 2025
I am currently in Tulsa, OK, for the Christian Church Foundation Board Meeting. Yesterday afternoon, I went back to my hotel room during a break, and I flipped on the TV. It was the last 10 minutes of the 2012 movie, “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel,” and I caught the famous line: 

“Everything will be alright in the end. If it’s not alright, it is not the end.” 

In some of my more challenging moments in ministry, I have returned to those words. I’m not suggesting they speak to every situation and circumstance, but as one who is not always as patient as I should be, there have been numerous times when I’ve not provided the space or the time for something to play itself out. We’ve not made it to the end. Just because I’ve been dreaming about some idea for a long time, does not mean others will immediately jump on board. I need to respect the individual and the journey of understanding and acceptance unique to that individual. And of course, when we are talking about a church with many different people, including new people, I cannot assume everyone will accept my newly discovered conviction in less than 20 minutes.

You’ve invited us, O God of Heavenly visions, to be passionate and bold, yet you understand better than any of us what it means to draw a community in a common vision. Let us never stop, but let us also be respectful of others who are needing a bit more information and time to process that information. When you can’t teach me patience, O God, I pray that you will force a little on me. Amen.