Whites of our eyes.

“Don’t shoot until you see the whites of their eyes, “ the American commander William Prescott shouted at Bunker Hill, reminding his troops to wait until the enemy was close enough to ensure a good chance of hitting their targets.

From the other side of the quotation, it spoke of the fact that, at some point, the enemy would need to rise and climb the hill. Despite their fears, they would need to draw close and engage with the enemy, so close others could see the whites of their eyes.

Although the moment is tucked safely away in history, I wonder when the last time something, or someone, saw the whites of our eyes? No, we are not down behind barricades at Bunker Hill. No, we are not being called to rise above our fears and climb that famous hill, nor face colonial enemies. We are not being asked to let them see the whites of our eyes, but, then again, maybe that’s exactly what we are being called to do daily.

In my own reflection, I can see countless examples of times when I’ve stayed huddled behind various kinds of barricades. Knowing there was a cause or purpose for which I needed to fight, I’ve played it safe and let others do the work. So, too, I’ve risen, if only to be seen and admired for standing, but succumbing to my fears and not climbing the hill.  Too often, I have refused to get close enough for one to see the whites of my eyes.

How about you?

When was the last time you gave up a weekend of rest and relaxation to help build a house for a deserving family?

When was the last time you moved beyond what was safe and easy and moved the decimal point of a contribution?

When did your business focus on something courageous or risky rather than safe?

When did you go sit with someone deep in grief, rather than bake another chicken casserole?

When did you get up and face your cancer diagnosis and then use your struggle to help others?

When was the last time you gave voice to an opposing view, knowing it would be unpopular or make others uncomfortable?

When did you stand close enough to a friend to point out his or her wayward ways?

When was the last time you stood up for someone after they made a mistake while others feasted on the scandal?

Each represents an opportunity to rise, climb a hill, and get close. The question is: what will we do when the opportunity to get close arrises? Will we hide behind barricades by saying we can’t make a difference, or rise and make the difference we can? Will we let others do the work because we are so busy, or will we get busy working with others? Will we keep others (and life itself) at a safe distance, or will we get close, so close they can see the whites of our eyes?