Beyond Games Part Two

Last post we dove into the since that everything and everyone belongs.  I ask for you to play and pray and live with it.  Question it.

Everything...really?

What about that annoying co-work/neighbor/family member/friend who you would prefer drive their plastic flimsy car off a cliff?  Whoops...did I say that out loud?

We have turned life into a game...not only financially, but also with God.  God, some churches proclaim, seems to only love you when you are singing that you, "Just want to praise him."  Such a God seems a bit narcissistic for me.  Or God wants me to go out and fight for what right.  Why wasn't I at that protest?  Or maybe, how could I not believe that God is unchanging, unfailing, and silent as night?

Richard Rohr challenges us to let go of a transactional God...one that is only interested in our good deeds or right belief.  The prodigal (which means extravagant, excessive, over-the-top) grace and love of God finds us where we are.

The Prodigal God will embrace the mud soaked younger son with his prepared speech and give him a coat and ring (that probably belonged to the father in the first place).

The Prodigal God will go out to the older son with his prepared speech of pain that has not been processed of righteousness...and still invite him to the party too.

The Prodigal God isn't playing a game...God longs for relationships...connections.  And as we all know, relationships are messy and broken and rarely perfect.  God is willing to go to the mud and muck.  God is willing to listen to anger/venting.  And God longs for us to see that inexhaustible love is the same for all.

Or...

Everything and everyone belongs!

We don't always act that this...but maybe it is time we start, especially in such a time as this.  The only thing that can over come divisiveness is love.  Not a love that wants to proof why you are right and the other side is wrong.  Love that listens. The only thing that can bridge and help heal divides between political understandings; urban/rural; gender; race; sexual orientation is a love that sees the other as God's beloved and belonging.

For far too long we want to control who is on the guest list.

It is time we let the prodigal God have that so that we might focus on sharing love with others.

It is far enough work for my energy to try to do this...

So may the invitation that everything and everyone belongs stir in your midst this day and this week with a trace of grace.