This early morning I had the wonderful privilege of enjoying a quiet drizzly morning at my favorite park. Since summer is quickly approaching, I realize this may be the last time in the next several months that I’ll have this experience. As I walked in the near silence, small details grabbed my attention. An older […]
During our visit to Huntington Beach, I noticed this very small cluster of sand, perhaps the remnants of a footprint. The silhouette cast by the setting sun made it look like a miniature castle. Moments after this photo, it was gone, swept away by the waves. James 4:13-15 states, “Now look here, you people who […]
Easter 2020. Because of COVID-19, the places we would normally see and hear the joyous signs of Easter are vacant and silent. Freeways are virtually empty of travelers. Churches, normally filled with exuberant worship and preaching, are closed. Parks are empty of children playing and families celebrating. But just like the large stone sealing Jesus’ […]
Ahhhhh… I needed that. Thanx
That was an interesting and emotional video to watch. I almost started crying as he was joined by others who wanted to be a part of his “giving” experiment. I was thinking at first about how hard and awkward it was for him to make that first effort to put himself in that position. Then I was thinking about how scared everyone is. Almost all of the people on the street have this automatic suspicion that this guy has motives. (probably deviant) I was thinking that myself. I guess I think too much. But I was also thinking that it would be great if he only had good motives and people could know that and accept his hugs with childlike appreciation and pleasure. That would be very healing and beneficial. What was going through your head as you watched it?
Hi Deb, I think what you said in your comment demonstrates the tension of the “Now and Not Yet” that we find ourselves in. We are both noble yet broken people, living in a good yet broken creation. We know Christ has inaugurated God’s future New Creation by his resurrection, a reality of restored and reconciled community. Yet, we live in the harsh reality of a world where distortion and deviance also abide. And so, we as Christ’s apprentices have to stand in the place of pain with open arms and interceding hearts. That’s so hard because we will often find ourselves battered and bruised like Christ.
I was feeling similar things as you when I first watched the video. I probably would have been one of the people that passed him by. But then I noticed, it only took one or two people to risk. And the trickle turned into a stream and eventually a flood. And even when the authorities tried to prevent it, the flood was uncontainable. That’s how God’s New Creation takes place. People of faith, taking the necessary risk so that others may watch and join in.