The Shadow of Your Wings

I recently spent a week with my “original” family as we gathered together to attend my precious aunt in her dying. I hadn’t seen some of my cousins in years and it was, in spite of our sorrow, a time of “catching up,” sharing stories about our (much) younger days, telling on one another and talking about what a joy and inspiration our Peg had been to us all.

One of the tales that came out was about two of the grand-daughters (my 2^nd cousins). Both girls are beautiful, 20 year old Christians with very different perspectives on life and ministry. The movie Mamma Mia had just been released and Pegs really wanted to see it. So, she, her daughter, and two grand darlings loaded up and drove to the nearest theater for an afternoon of fun and food. On the way home, Peggy asked the girls what they thought about the film.

One was absolutely giddy about it, thought it was great and couldn’t wait for it to be released on DVD so she could watch it again and again. The other was not impressed at all. She was disgusted that the characters had all engaged in premarital sex and that the movie seemed (to her) to actually glorify fornication.

My little auntie turned to her grandchildren and addressed each one: “YOU,” she said to the latter, “need to lighten up!” and “YOU,” to the still giggling other, “need to tighten up!” The way my cousin tells the story both girls responded with eyes wide and mouths dropping. Peg, on the other hand, burst out laughing and declared, “Wow! That felt good! I like being able to be totally honest about things.” (A gift of grace to the very young, the very old, and the dying it seems.)

Listening to this story initially I found myself, yet again, seeing both sides and wondering where the balance between the two might be. Personally, I enjoyed the movie, sang the old songs for weeks after seeing it, but it’s not a film I would recommend to everyone - particularly not those I know to be a little “tighter” in their outlook than I, simply because I know they would be offended, as my younger cuz was. But as I considered my aunt’s advice I realized that we all need to tighten up or lighten up on certain issues in life.

For instance, I know that I can get very tightly wound over things that reflect or affect the Body of Christ or the glory of God. The stumbling around on stage “drunk in Jesus” and “tokin’ the Holy Ghost” stuff to wit. And honestly, I don’t think that’s a thing I need to loosen up over. But then there are things I tend to take a bit too lightly - like the use of objectionable words. (Though I did almost come unglued when I heard a youth pastor say the word “cr[ ]p” from the pulpit one Sunday morning. [Bracketed so as not to offend any reader.] I wonder if it would have disturbed me as much if we’d just been sitting ‘round the campfire, shootin’ the breeze.)

It seems to me that if we would all truly ask ourselves that simple question - what WOULD Jesus do? - and act accordingly we might walk with a little more grace and maturity.

  - If I watch a movie or tv show that I would not be comfortable viewing with Him sitting beside me, then I need to turn it off.

  - If the conversation takes a turn that I feel He would not engage in, I shouldn’t either. And this isn’t just about the use of four letter wording - it includes gossip, or slander, or unsavory topics. If I wouldn’t discuss something with Him, or with Him present, it probably shouldn’t be discussed at all.

  - Though I might enjoy the occasional glass or two of wine but know that you think it unbecoming for a Christian to imbibe, then I need to tighten up - for your sake. You, on the other hand, might pray about lightening up a bit - for my sake. (For goodness' sake!)

  - Or, if we know that our doctrinal beliefs differ, but fall into one of those grey areas Scripturally, then we both need to lighten up and rejoice in the truth of Christ we share.

“Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves.” Ro 14:22. Or, in what he disapproves. For “Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls.” Ro 14.4 “Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Cor 10:31

In what ways do you need to “lighten up” - or “tighten up?” What COULD Jesus do in you or through you if your light and tight were better balanced?