Sunday, December 14, 2008
Advent [7]: Challenges
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I woke up early this morning because I forgot that we changed time zones - so I thought it was 7:30, but it was 6:30. So I spent a bit more time than I usually have reading and thinking, and I found myself in the book of John, reading about Jesus feeding the 5,000, walking on water, and then talking about eating his flesh and blood. In these stories, it seemed to me like Jesus was asking the disciples tough questions, putting them in difficult situations even though he knew the outcome. And then he starts laying down these ridiculously confusing theological ideas - like some form of Judeo-cannibalism.
It made me think about the young, newly (mysteriously) pregnant Mary - the mother of Jesus. And her betrothed, Joseph. They had their life planned; they knew where they were going and when, and then God put them in an intentionally difficult position. It's sort of like "Life Interrupted" bible-style. And it's sort of one of those things that happens to anyone whose seeking God. We don't find some superficial, cupcakes and butterflies happiness that is free from challenges. But instead, our very search for God is a challenge that never ceases. We can not conquer God, but find ourselves being conquered and brought more and more into his life.
I'm trying to be open to these challenges - to be willing to be put in difficult circumstances, and willing to explore (very) difficult theologies. Maybe Jesus doesn't fit very well on a flannel graph, and maybe the story of salvation really isn't told best for children. I don't think that means that Jesus doesn't still "love the little children," but perhaps his love is the type of love that is not satisfied with me as I am. Like I regularly tell my students, it is my job to make them into better, smarter people.
I guess that's sort of God's job, his work, his goal: He challenges me to be better - and as much as I don't like it, I know it's right.
I woke up early this morning because I forgot that we changed time zones - so I thought it was 7:30, but it was 6:30. So I spent a bit more time than I usually have reading and thinking, and I found myself in the book of John, reading about Jesus feeding the 5,000, walking on water, and then talking about eating his flesh and blood. In these stories, it seemed to me like Jesus was asking the disciples tough questions, putting them in difficult situations even though he knew the outcome. And then he starts laying down these ridiculously confusing theological ideas - like some form of Judeo-cannibalism.
It made me think about the young, newly (mysteriously) pregnant Mary - the mother of Jesus. And her betrothed, Joseph. They had their life planned; they knew where they were going and when, and then God put them in an intentionally difficult position. It's sort of like "Life Interrupted" bible-style. And it's sort of one of those things that happens to anyone whose seeking God. We don't find some superficial, cupcakes and butterflies happiness that is free from challenges. But instead, our very search for God is a challenge that never ceases. We can not conquer God, but find ourselves being conquered and brought more and more into his life.
I'm trying to be open to these challenges - to be willing to be put in difficult circumstances, and willing to explore (very) difficult theologies. Maybe Jesus doesn't fit very well on a flannel graph, and maybe the story of salvation really isn't told best for children. I don't think that means that Jesus doesn't still "love the little children," but perhaps his love is the type of love that is not satisfied with me as I am. Like I regularly tell my students, it is my job to make them into better, smarter people.
I guess that's sort of God's job, his work, his goal: He challenges me to be better - and as much as I don't like it, I know it's right.
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