The Show Must Go On

Photo by Flickr user ‘hbp_pix’

Religion is like a big juggling act. As long as you’re keeping all the plates in the air, you are surrounded by the hearty approval of men. But one wrong movement and everything comes crashing down in a cacophony of shame and rejection.

All the while Grace invites us away from the stale, sweaty air of the Big Tent into an intimate and invigorating fullness of relationship which God Himself sustains. There, you are surrounded by approval which no longer comes from men (men likely are even rejecting you now). The juggling is no longer necessary because in His unconditional love, Father does not look away in disgust at your fleshly flaws. Instead He embraces you passionately and affectionately.

Back in the Big Tent, the Bible is mostly interpreted as a book of rules, requirements, and formulas, and the reality is missed of it being the most beautiful story ever of ransom, redemption, and divine romance.

Meanwhile, abiding in the reality of Grace you begin to see everything through new “metanoia” eyes. Scriptures come rushing back to your mind, no longer as commandment and correction, but as promise and invitation. This is a relationship wherein the requirements were completely satisfied “before the foundation of the earth”. Ours is but to perceive it, believe it, and receive this invitation to a “life lived loved” – regardless of the approval or rejection of men.

Divine Diaspora

I’ve been quite infrequent with posts lately mostly because I’ve been busily living loved in a whole new landscape. A day off for Memorial Day presents me a moment of respite from a crushing new daily schedule of hitting the snooze button once or twice at 4:30 a.m. followed by the fastest work day I could imagine at my new job as a plant manager at a local public school.

I am wholeheartedly loving this challenging environment I’ve been thrust into, a far cry from my 18 years being on staff at a local non-denominational church. After a month or so of being laid-off due to the effects of the current economical crisis I literally stumbled across this job opportunity where I am making less than half the salary I was a year ago, yet working infinitely harder physically, mentally, and emotionally. The skills and experience I boasted on my resume have little to do with the position I accepted but I couldn’t be more satisfied because I know I’m where I belong for this season of life. There’s something exhilarating about being surrounded by raw humanity after being largely insulated from it for so long.

As with most any sector of the workforce, the public school system is seeing more than it’s share of budget cuts and layoffs. On a regular basis I am interacting with teachers and staff who wonder if their’s is the next position to be axed.  Then there are the hundreds of children who can’t grasp the magnitude of challenges their families are facing in these trying times. I’m right there with all of them in these challenges but with the knowing that I am safe and secure in Father’s embrace, come what may. I can only trust that He has me there to be a lifeline of encouragement if only to just one of these who are holding out for a glimpse of hope.

If you, like me, find your world has been turned upside down, yet you are living in the awareness of Father’s undying love and affection, consider yourself fortunate and blessed. We are like seeds in the hands of the Master being scattered to the winds… a divine diaspora (a dispersion of a people from their original homeland) of sorts! Let’s spread the Love!

Humbled

Beyond the four walls

I can breathe 

I can feel

I can see beyond cynicism

 

Generous laughter leaps from within 

As I take in the brightness of hope 

In the eyes of a little child 

Who may not know he’s not like the others around him

They can run

He only jerks and hobbles 

They can recite the pledge of allegiance 

He drools and makes scary noises

 

And he is unaware 

That unconditional love smites me

Every time I think of his smile