Comments on: We Show Up http://www.wanting-more.ca/2010/02/26/we-show-up/ A place where I share my thoughts and ramblings about spiritual life and my desire for more of God (for me, for the church and for the world). Thanks for stopping by. Mon, 01 Mar 2010 16:19:49 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: Jon http://www.wanting-more.ca/2010/02/26/we-show-up/comment-page-1/#comment-784 Jon Sat, 27 Feb 2010 02:46:58 +0000 http://www.wanting-more.ca/?p=489#comment-784 This is a very confusing statement. At the very least it should get us realizing that something that makes total sense to use because we were in the context where it was created often is utterly meaningless to others. It's like starting off a public speech with an inside joke and then not understanding why people didn't laugh and weren't engaged. To me (in complete Olympic mode) it sounds like the slogan for the person who goes to the )lympics knowing that they are going to place between fourtieth and fiftieth in ski-jumping (or some other sport with a massive number of people in it). "Hey...we don't offer any real entertainment value. We aren't going to challenge for a medal. You probably won't see us on TV. In fact...our participation in this thing means nothing to anyone other than me and my mom...she tells me I'm special! But...at least I show up. Even if I have nothing of significance to offer...I'm here!" I'm not saying to be harsh. I'm not suggesting in any way that this is what the church had in mind. I'm just saying what it sounds like to me. Too often what we're trying to communicate and what other people actually hear us saying can be radically different. I believe that, that problem is ours to overcome, not theirs! This is a very confusing statement. At the very least it should get us realizing that something that makes total sense to use because we were in the context where it was created often is utterly meaningless to others. It’s like starting off a public speech with an inside joke and then not understanding why people didn’t laugh and weren’t engaged.

To me (in complete Olympic mode) it sounds like the slogan for the person who goes to the )lympics knowing that they are going to place between fourtieth and fiftieth in ski-jumping (or some other sport with a massive number of people in it). “Hey…we don’t offer any real entertainment value. We aren’t going to challenge for a medal. You probably won’t see us on TV. In fact…our participation in this thing means nothing to anyone other than me and my mom…she tells me I’m special! But…at least I show up. Even if I have nothing of significance to offer…I’m here!”

I’m not saying to be harsh. I’m not suggesting in any way that this is what the church had in mind. I’m just saying what it sounds like to me. Too often what we’re trying to communicate and what other people actually hear us saying can be radically different. I believe that, that problem is ours to overcome, not theirs!

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