en't expecting? It happened to me again this morning: as some of you know, I've been trying to talk about the "wisdom of our wounds" - explicitly how our wounded feelings are a sacred call to march in the opposite direction - but once again I never got around to that concept. And this is now three weeks running. Ok, ok, I confess I am a slow learner! It is (almost) clear to me that I need to head into new territory next week... and I am really glad I was paying attention and let my plans just slip slide away...What did happen was a lot more playful conversation about how the foolish "mustard seed plant" not only represents a much more humble image of God's presence in our lives than the "cedars of Lebanon," but also how our commitments of compassion, welcome and slowing down are utterly counter cultural values. What's more, because they are so upside down, we have to practice them - start making them more and more our own - so that we are better able to share them when it really counts.
And that led us into dancing with the idea of worship as a place in time given to us by God to "waste our time" - and - also to practice the upside down values of not taking our religion so seriously that we don't see the humor and beauty within and among us. We ended up singing a rockin' version of "Day by Day" from Godspell as our "practice" in being fools for Christ. Beautiful... there were 80 year olds singing with 10 year olds - hipsters wmaking music with conservatives - and those fearful and afraid finding a little hope and comfort amidst the storm. One woman said at the end of the day, "Now I really can go back and face Monday."
I guess having all our children in worship today - and having some dear friends who have been away back in the fold - helped us all shift gears and celebrate the foolishness of our commitment to finding God through Christ. Maybe it was the Holy Spirit saying, "Give it up, brother, leave that other idea for another time." And maybe it was all of this and more. Whatever it was, it was a blessing and we all felt that "Jesus was in the house."
I can't resist pointing out that "Jesus" in that Godspell production was none other than Victor Garber, son of Hope Garber, a London, Ontario tv personality in the 1950s and '60s. Victor's gone on to some pretty big things, as you may know.
ReplyDeleteAnd hey, sharp turns at the sermon road? Been there, am there. Blessings, bro.
You know, I always forget that "Jesus" was/is Victor Garber... especially after seeing him on "Alias." But I didn't know about his mom and the London, Ontario connection. How cool. It was a fun and wonderful day. More soon. And blessings right back at ya!
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