Flubber and the Christian Life May 2013
Yesterday I watched some kids play with this homemade magic stuff called flubber (google Flubber Recipe to try it at home!). They squished it, rolled it, patted it, stretched it, poked it. Then someone suggested, "Just let it sit in your hands and see what happens." It was all these kids could do to sit still and let the flubber just BE in their hands. Just when I thought they wouldn't be able to sit still a moment longer, it happened. The sort of fixed shape it had maintained while being manipulated and moved around melted into the shape of these motionless, open hands and began to ooze through their fingers. I thought--what a metaphor for life.
In the Christian life, our goal is to be molded and shaped into the likeness of Christ. I find myself in such constant motion that I forget to just be still in the hands of my Creator. When I finally settle myself down and sit with Him, my soul is molded into His image. My rigidness begins to soften and I take on the shape of His compassion and grace. And the oozing part? When my heart is at peace and I am fully aware of Christ's presence and love in my life, it oozes out to others.
Metaphors involving God can only go so far. They break down at some point. So don't overanalyze. Just whip up a batch of flubber and see what you might learn for yourself.
Nothing Profound April 2013
Nothing profound happened to me today. Except my heart beat regularly and pumped blood through my body to keep me alive. And the sun came up over my house this morning. And the food I ate tasted delicious and went right where it was needed in my system to give me fuel and make me healthy. And I was able to stay on the ground instead of floating away because gravity continued to have its affect. And my eardrums along with all the tiny parts on the other side of it worked together to help me hear the sound of my daughter's voice, the catchy new song on the radio, and laughter. And I heard the words, "I love you." Pretty much the same as yesterday. Nothing profound.
Retreat Learnings-Part 2/The Prodigal
One of the most amazing times during my recent Renovare' spiritual growth retreat was the Prayer Path Experience. Candles, soft reflective music, beautiful expressions of artistic creativity and a prevailing sense of peace and solitude drew me into the large room where people moved slowly, reverently between various prayer "stations." I spent over two hours there soaking in the presence and goodness of God. It was water for my thirsty soul. I visited all of the dozen or so stations and managed to keep my Type A personality in check...enjoying the moment and refusing to rush through so I could say I checked every box.
One of the stations that most impacted me was the painting of Rembrandt's The Return of the Prodigal based on the story from Luke 15:11-32. As I took in the details of color, shadow, facial expressions...every nuance of this picture, I was brought once again to a realization of the real-life role I play more often than I would wish. Every time I run away to accomplishments, people, substances, activity, or any of the myriad ways I can keep myself distracted from my deepest need, I AM the prodigal. When I glance back home, I see the Father running toward me, arms wide open to welcome me back. I ask forgiveness for my need for self-importance and to appear smarter than I am, for independence, and for the desire to imipress. I want to do something to repay Him for his love and generosity, but He says, "I'm just glad you're home." He asks of me my whole life--not as repayment for grace, that would miss the whole point, but as an expression of gratitude and worship.
In offering my life to the Father, He pours out more grace to make me into the likeness of Christ. And He does it joyfully. He's not muttering to Himself, wishing He could write me off but instead having to tolerate me because of that whole "cross" loophole. He really is happy to have me home. What puzzles me at every homecoming is--why did I ever leave?