The Gap

I was in a conversation with a few new friends.

It was a deeply spiritual, beautifully honest, and sincerely loving discussion.

And I loved it.

They all knew my faith tradition is rooted in Christianity.

Alluding to this, one of my friends asked about my thoughts regarding different faiths, beliefs, and belief systems.

I told him that honestly, I really don't care what people believe.

I care about people.

It's not my job to convince or argue or judge.

It's my job to look, listen, and love.

It is my experience that beliefs and belief systems are continually evolving.

These systems grow and develop over time and are quite dependent on our unique relational and spiritual experiences.

In our conversation, I was further pressed about what I thought and believed about Christians, non-Christians, and other faith traditions.

This is a subject I've spent a lot of time considering, and I've come to the conclusion that I simply don't care what people think or believe.

What matters is that I'm closing the gap between who I am and who I'm capable of being.

I'm patient with myself where I am but striving.

I'm patient with others fully aware that I don't understand all of the nuances of their particular experiences.

I have no intention of proselytizing to anyone.

That practice seems to be a quick way to shut doors, stop conversations, and drive wedges between people.

We already have far too many ways to divide the "us" groups and the "them" groups.

There are plenty of people ready to defend why some are "in" and some are "out."

But it seems the teaching of Jesus is most about open doors and wide tables.

It seems to be about restoration and unity more than "insiders" and "outsiders."

I was thinking about how I often say that I'm trying to close the gap between who I'm capable of being and who I'm actually being.

It strikes me that this statement has a spiritual feel as well.

Trying to close the gap between the "us" groups and the "others" group.

I brought up a "closing the gap" analogy that my friends seemed to appreciate.

I told them how I sometimes imagine if Jesus, the man, could somehow spend one day as Thom Miller.

The people who meet "me" would actually be meeting him.

The things "I" said would actually be the things he said.

I like to imagine how different his presence would be in this body and in my unique particulars of life.

Then I imagine, how might I close this gap.

How could I be more like the Jesus that I follow in my daily life?

I know, that's more than kind of the point.

But it is a nice way to think.

Busying myself with looking and listening and loving.

Far too busy to be concerned with beliefs and belief systems.

Far too busy closing the gap between myself and my best self.

Far too busy closing the imaginary gap between us all.

At least, that's what I believe.

But hopefully, you don't care what I believe.

Hopefully, you care about me.

As I care about you.

Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash