The following was shared by Jesse Rivera as a word of welcome for our Sunday Gathering. It is being shared in writing so our community might continue to ponder the important and timely encouragement of the value of showing up for others.
There is this beautiful albeit heartbreaking moment in C. S. Lewis’ book, The Four Loves. Lewis tells us about his two friends Ronald and Charles. Tragically, Charles got sick and eventually died. In the aftermath, Lewis makes this surprising discovery. You see, on paper, it would seem that Lewis would now have more of Ronald. No longer would his friend need to split his time or his attention. They would be able to give themselves to one another fully, and yet, when they were together, something was amiss. Without Charles there to tell his jokes, Lewis realized that he had lost a part of Ronald. Instead of having more, he had less. He explained it like this:
“In each of my friends there is something that only some other friend can fully bring out. By myself I am not large enough to call the whole man into activity; I want other lights than my own to show all his facets.”
This quote has been fresh in my mind. During the months of August and September, my wife, Liza, traveled quite extensively. While she was gone, the kids and I kept living. We kept going to school and work. We would get together with friends and share meals with family. We made memories and had fun. Still, every so often, I would be sitting with people, and I would miss my wife. I would think of Lewis. Something was amiss. It was as if there was a dimmer switch, and without her there, it had been turned down. Everything was less bright.
In the days that followed her return. I would find myself noticing her. I would watch her interact with my kids or with our supper club. Their lights were shining on her, and she shined her light back onto them. Seeing my wife in these moments, I was reminded of something that is always true but sometimes lost in the busyness of life. I don’t just love my wife for who she is to me. I love my wife for who she is. She is joy and love. She creates a space for anyone and everyone to come as they are. She is funny and irreverent in the best possible ways.
I am not saying all this to brag on my wife although I do love to brag on my wife. I am saying this because as a church, we want everyone who comes in to understand that they matter here. There is something that not only you bring, but also something you will bring out in others.
We live in the Midwest, so it’s hard for us to not be self-deprecating here, but I’m telling you, you underestimate the impact and worth you bring just by showing up. This is true for the youngest, the oldest, and everyone in between. You matter here, you with your complexities, your baggage, your achievements and failures. Being present means the air we share will be filled with more stories, more tears and more laughter. Your presence makes this whole thing a little bit brighter.
So, welcome. I hope you will consider the importance of the light you bring to others just by showing up, just by being here. I hope you will consider how showing up for others on a regular basis might be an important and worthy contribution. Just by being present you bring an “other light” to the community that allows us to see each other better. I'm glad you are here today. Please know this, when you are not here, this place is a little less bright.
