The Forest for the Trees

I’ve found myself using this phrase “Don’t miss the forest for the trees” very often in conversation lately. I wrote it in my paper for the conference I am going to next weekend. I said it last night when I talked to my good friend Lauren about where to start about theology. And I think it is exactly what David is talking about here.

Please understand: he doesn’t know the language of faith, the proprieties of religion, the ethos of Christianity…As he was rambling on, carrying me through a series of emotions from laughter to rage, I was struck by the deep spiritual qualities of my black-sheep brother. I couldn’t help but feel, in spite of his roughness, toughness, lack of the right knowledge, absence from all things religious, and wild and dangerous lifestyle, that he was precious to God. Throughout the week, he exemplified, for me, the spirit of Jesus… without the name, the forms, the customs, the baggage, and the symbols… but the spirit of Jesus just the same. I was humiliated by my arrogant exclusive stupidity the church is reluctant to challenge.

Our life here is about continuing the story of Jesus. Following that story sometimes means we will follow all the social conventions that are commonly associated with Christianity. Other times we will be very far from it. Don’t lose the sight of the forest (faithfully living Jesus’ Gospel story) for the trees (what has become culturally normative for a Christian). Sometimes you have to forget the trees to see the forest.