My most recent blog post generated a mild to moderate amount of discussion with a few people I know, so I want to clear a few things up.
I find my relationship with God to be one of the most rewarding, challenging aspects of my life. The words and life of Jesus are the most astounding and revolutionary message and example I've ever encountered, and that's not for lack of trying other things. And nothing can top those except his death and resurrection, which prefigure the union with God we all can hope to experience in God's ultimate renewal of creation.
I mean, listen, this is amazing, kickass stuff, and then there's the small matter of the Holy Spirit working as God's agent in the world to help all that good stuff come to pass. I want to be a part of that, and I want to do that in concert with the church, while simultaneously loving gay people and reading the Bible in a reasoned, contextual way and attempting to sin less and better serve my fellow man.
Sometimes I need to put all that on a shelf and watch Jersey Shore, though. I also have two amazing kids, a smart, attractive husband, and an annoying cat, all of whom need me, thankfully. Life is beautiful because it's multi-faceted; I just I happen to believe that Christ's love is the fabric that weaves it all together. Sometimes, though, I need a break. That's really all I'm saying. If I were an ice skater who ice skated in her free time, that would be a little unhealthy. Simultaneously, I don't always need to be reading up on the Filioque clause when I've got a Saturday afternoon to myself.
There's a fair contingent of people in my life who could care less about Jesus, but care about me. And I love those people as fiercely and intensely as I love anyone I know who's into the J-man. I'm pretty sure many people wish I would just write about something else for a change, but I also know they wouldn't want me to pretend or hide my true feelings, and that's a big reason why I love them.
So, yeah. Time off is a good thing. Time off keeps the energy where it belongs, which is with my family and my friends and with my efforts to join into the work of helping this heartbreakingly beautiful world become more of what God created it to be.
3 comments:
For what it's worth, I understood what you meant :) I read something years back about the separation between the sacred and the secular (maybe by C.S. Lewis?), and the point was that there doesn't need to be a separation. Not meaning that your every moment is lived on the mountaintop (didn't Jesus rebuke Peter for suggesting such a thing after the transfiguration? Most of life is lived in the valley of the everyday), but the point being that we can learn to see God in the ordinary things, and even the most commonplace life experiences can be opportunities to worship in our hearts while still remaining 100% present with the people next to us. Of course, I watch Jersey Shore too, so I understand what you're saying about unplugging, too. But in my experience, the most fulfilling times in my life have been when I've found that sweet spot of finding Jesus in the valley moments, living with both feet in both worlds, vs feeling like I have to choose one over the other. I don't know if that made sense. Lewis said it way better (I'll try to find the quote).
You know what? That sounds like true blanace to me-- that sweet spot you described. I think that's really what I need to work towards, truthfully, and I love how you said that (though I'm sure C. S. Lewis' words are effective in their own way. Good old Clive). That sounds like praying without ceasing, which is the goal, and it doesn't need to mean total remove. Something for which to strive! (A Lenten discipline?)
There are so many ways to unplug and yet, not unplug from God. I've been keeping a list of blessings/thanks which force me to look for God in the mundane, in the sitcoms I love so much (Pulled Jessie out of the tub early last night so I wouldn't miss "Cougar Town"), in practicing spelling words with Maggie, in drinking & eating too much while watching the Super Bowl (after all Jesus turned water into wine -- and GOOD wine!). As always, love what you have to say ML, you keep me thinking!
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