Color Deficient

Really? After 43 years I'm only discovering this now?

We were with family in the children's museum of Great Falls, MT where they had a little display on color blindness, including some charts. The charts had a bunch of polka dots, and under each it read, "A color blind person is unable to see the number in the above chart." "What number?" I asked. "That's a 45," answered Mac. "Where?" Mac used the dots to trace a big invisible "45" for me. Seeing my doubt, my sister-in-law informed me, "Greg, you might be color blind."

Since then, I've learned that this is the Ishihara color test, named after Shinobu Ishihara who published his testing plates in the early 1900's. It's good for discovering whether one is color-blind or deficient, but it doesn't really give a good measure on the severity. I happen to be "mildly" color deficient. I recognize all the major colors, but there are a few wavelengths or hues of reds and greens that I have have trouble distinguishing (Deuteranomaly) a condition I share with about 6% of men.

I started oil painting a couple years ago, and I find it mildly annoying or humorous (can't decide) that I can't be sure if my subjects are turning out a bit sun-burned or under-ripe.

In life, this rings true; it is a reminder that--no matter how mature, confident and sure we are--there should always be a bit of curious humility in each of us. There are parts of the color spectrum that none of us can see without external help, and yet those colors are--in fact--there.

Ask people, "Well, how do you see it? What are your ideas and thoughts?" Listen, be curious, but you don't have to be timid. There should, actually, be a bit of freedom that comes from the fact that the world is not black-and-white. No one is above calculated risk and best guesses. Nor is it simply "relative." We can find points of general agreement. It means that we can 1) compare notes, and 2) act upon our best guess. We are 1) willing to reconsider, and 2) ready to forgive (others and ourselves).

In the end, there is a whole lot more to this universe and life than what any of us see or know, visible or not. We all have a lot to learn!

100 Points!

I'm not preaching this Sunday, but enjoyed this sermon illustration that one of my friends shared with me today, especially paired with the parable of the workers in the vineyard (Matthew 20:1-16).

--By the way, why do these so often start "A man dies and goes to heaven or the Pearly Gates"? Where are the women? Maybe most are like my mom; they take the passing lane straight into heaven.--

Anyway...
A man dies and goes to heaven. Of course, St. Peter meets him at the Pearly Gates.

St. Peter says, "Here's how it works. You need 100 points to make it into heaven. You tell me all the good things you've done, and I give you a certain number of points for each item, depending on how good it was. When you reach 100 points, you get in."

"Okay," the man says, "I was married to the same woman for 50 years and never cheated on her, even in my heart."
"That's wonderful," says St. Peter, "that's worth three points!"

"Three points?"

He says, "Well, I attended church every Sunday and supported its ministry with my tithe and service."
"Terrific!" says St. Peter, "that's certainly worth a point."

"One point? Well, I started a soup kitchen in my city and worked in a shelter for homeless veterans."
"Fantastic," answers Peter, "that's good for 2 more points."

"Two points?" The man cries, "At this rate the only way I get into heaven is by the grace of God!"

St Peter smiled. "There's your 100 points! Come on in!"


(I'm sorry I couldn't find an author; it's available in various places on the web, and on Sermons.com.)