More Than Meets the Eye
Growing up I’d watch the animated show Transformers from time to time. It was about robots from space that could transform into cars and would battle evil forces to protect humanity. Yes, I know I’m a nerd. Moving on.
When the Transformers films started being made I couldn’t help but be reminded of the catchphrase from the animated series, “Transformers! More than meets the eye!” I also can’t help but remember how awful that theme song was, but that’s another story…
Even more than these reminders from childhood, the Transformers catchphrase has been bouncing around in my head and heart as 2021 has begun. In the midst of continuing protests, a change in the presidency, the introduction of a vaccine for COVID-19, and many other topics, there is much more than meets our eyes. It has also become abundantly clear that we are missing the full picture about these things and many other topics.
And that “we” includes me… In fact, in early January, following the protest and attack on the Capitol, I posted some content on social media that had varying responses. I’ve taken some time to address that post, social media, and clear up the meaning of some vague statements in the writing with this document. Included in this writing are apologies for how I rushed, how I could have worded a few things differently, and more than anything a call for us as Christ-followers to preserve relationship and connection rather than assume, avoid, and live in the brokenness of convenience.
I admit that I didn’t respond from a full picture and I’m also aware that many others are not seeing the “more” than meets our eyes. Following this post, I’ve had great conversations with folks and it’s been amazing to see the fruit of choosing relationship and the full picture of what we are called to in loving God, loving each other, and making disciples that obey the teachings of Jesus.
I’ve also continued to witness the incredible division over various topics in our world. As part of these reactions and the ongoing conversations pertaining to COVID, politics, and race, there have been far more stumbling blocks than launching ramps.
I’m glad that in the midst of many things that are unclear and uncertain, we serve the God who has revealed Himself to us in Jesus and continues to lead us into perfect truth and peace. I rejoice that His Word is truly a lamp to our feet (Ps. 119:105) and that in the times that seem dark and impossible we are reminded that this Word came and dwelt among us shining light into the darkness and the darkness cannot overcome it (Jn. 1).
In this season of “more than meets the eye” I’m reminded of the exhortation to the early church in the days of their division over topics that were filled with complication and varying views. Paul wrote three chapters to the Church in Corinth about what they should do concerning food that had been sacrificed to idols (1 Cor. 8-10). His simple challenge to this community was to recognize that although idols were nothing, that although discounted meat was a good deal, and that although we are free to choose whatever is right, that we should be aware of how we can become a stumbling block to others and that we should do nothing that would hinder the Gospel and the good of others. He ends this section of the letter by telling these disciples that no matter what they do they should do it all for the glory of God.
Paul also encourages the Christians in Rome to consider that even if they think what is right concerning food and eating and drinking that they should reflect on how they would avoid being a stumbling block to their neighbors pursuing Christ that thought differently (Rom. 14). In fact, he goes as far to tell this community that they should not “destroy the work of God for the sake of food (Rom. 14:20).”
I think the summation of Paul’s thoughts on these matters in the early Christian communities can be summed up in his challenge to the Roman Church when he wrote, “Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law (Rom. 13:8-10).”
Simply put, when I see the various topics of conversation circulating in our world right now I believe we have been given a few lenses through God’s Word to view, respond, and speak: Are we advancing the Good News of Jesus or other news? Are we doing harm to our neighbor or leading to their growth? Are we spreading condemnation or offering correction? Are we speaking the truth in love or loving to speak the truth? Are we reacting from emotion and passion or responding from the voice of the Lord? Are we choosing relationship and persistence or giving into convenience? Are we avoiding and assuming or connecting and clarifying?
I believe that when we think about the many things happening in our world right now that the Word of God gives us a clear path of action. We are called to see that the things we think are so simple and that we have the whole picture of are much more complicated, affect each person differently, and that there is much more than meets the eye. When we talk about COVID-19, masks, racial division, politics, and interpretations of circumstances, we must come back to the basics of loving God and loving neighbor, and also not shy from the truth and the Gospel.
We must recognize that the various topics above have impacted people differently and our hearts should be moved to speak and act from empathy. We must see that even if we are right about a topic that our call is right relationship with those around us. We must return to the Lord and remember the foundation of following Jesus above our worldview and convenience.
John Wesley wrote about three simple rules for living: do no harm, do good, and stay in love with Jesus (paraphrased). For so many things, people, and circumstances, there is a lot more than meets the eye. If we can simply ask ourselves if we doing harm or good and if we are staying in love with Jesus, I believe we would better be able to see the full picture and respond more deeply to the things of this world with the only promised eternal solution: the Gospel.
May we be a people who do no harm, do all the good we can, and stay in love with Jesus. There’s plenty more than meets the eye. The Good News is that the One who sees it all is inviting us to see it how He does and to love one another accordingly. To that end: I write, I pray, I speak, I act, and I dream. Amen.
