Unnecessary Requirements

 

I recently filled out an online application that required my signature.

I filled it out at least ten different times—

On my computer, on my phone, with Edge, with Chrome, at home, at school, during the day, at night—

But when it came to the signature block,

The application wouldn’t work.

I tried signing with the mouse.

I tried signing with the touch screen.

I tried refreshing the page.

I did everything I knew to do.

But nothing worked.

All I got was an error message. 

So I contacted my contact at the organization,

And she contacted the IT person,

Who lifted the signature requirement,

And sent me a different link to the application than I’d been trying,

Then, and only then, was I finally able to complete the application!

This process lasted for four days.

It was frustrating.

But it was resolved…

After I had the right link…

And an unnecessary requirement was lifted.

 

I think sometimes in churches we place requirements on people

That are unnecessary.

And I think sometimes in churches we give people misinformation that

Leads to impossible frustration.

Do we do it on purpose?

Usually not.

But if we aren’t careful,

Then I think we can over-require and mislead people

Right out of the doors of the church.

 

I’m thankful that I had someone kind, capable, and willing to work with me when this piece of technology failed.

 

Likewise,

May we be a kind, capable, and willing people who intentionally work with those whom the church has failed.

 

God: Thank you for perseverance. Thank you for creativity. And thank you for lifting unnecessary requirements that keep people out of your Love. Amen.