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.
