Humility in the Face of Mystery
My two older granddaughters have read all the Percy Jackson thrillers. Percy, for those of you not exposed to this older elementary/middle school genre, is a half-blood. His mother is human and his father is Poseidon, god of the sea. Percy discovers that the old Greek gods weren't just myth, but rather are alive and well and still creating mischief. Mt. Olympus has moved from Athens to the 600th floor of the Empire State Building (the current center of world power). They are great reads, very imaginative.
I admit to being a bit startled when one of these granddaughters noted that "Pop, I like the Greek myths better than the Christian myths." But when I thought about it, I realized that there is a bit more gore and craziness in them. They are great adventure yarns that try to make sense of the mystery of life and death.
This Advent-Christmas season is a time of mystery. We wrestle with the fantastic notion that the God of all creation somehow became incarnate in a baby, that as much of God that could be in a human was somehow in Jesus. We attempt to proclaim this through music and art and sermon. And we can't. Because this mystery is beyond our comprehension.
People with a 19th and 20th century "modern" perspective could easily scoff at this quaint, naive story, saying that it was "scientifically impossible." But post-modern science, with its fuzzy boundary between matter and energy, properly steps back and says "hmmm...let's see what is going on..."
What is going on here? I don't know for sure.
What is God doing? How is the Holy Spirit moving? In my community? In the church? In me?
Where is God present, bringing new birth in the midst of suffering and oppression? I don't know, but I'm looking.
In a dysfunctional church, how is the Spirit moving, perhaps allowing a shattering of what we're comfortable with and birthing something new? I don't know, but I'm looking.
In this time of mystery, I encourage you to be humble in the face of so many mysteries, to be open and not know. Be open to new directions and adventures for yourself and your church.
As you deal with the mystery and ambiguity in your particular situation, I'd love to coach you. How about exploring coaching in the new year. Send me an email or give me a call.
May the God who came in mystery and wonder be with you.
Please email or give me a call. I'd be glad to talk with you about the process and set up a demonstration coaching session.
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Here's to healthy churches - with healthy leaders!