Easter Continued

Joan Chittister wrote: “Unwanted change – the only kind of change that is real, if the ancients are to be believed – requires more than simply a transition from one state or stage of life to another.  It requires conversion of heart.  It requires acceptance.  It demands that we be willing to believe that where we find ourselves now, bad as it may seem, must be at least as good – at least eventually as where we ourselves wanted to be.  Conversion assumes an openness to the God of creation, of newness, of wonder and surprise.”  Scarred by Struggle; Transformed by Hope.

 

When I read the above quote, I had to stop, rewind, and re-read what was being said here.  First, the season of Easter is one that dances with change.  Jesus comes back to the disciples in bodily form and still showing the signs of crucifixion, yet the disciples don’t recognize him.  Something has changed about Jesus or something has changed within the disciples or perhaps both.  Perhaps what changed for the disciples was a belief that resurrection was true and could be trusted.  Perhaps what changed was the notion that following Jesus could mean letting Jesus’ light shine through us.  Perhaps was changed was something so deep on a soul level the disciples could not articulate what was stirring and swirling.  Perhaps, resurrection, can be that “unwanted” change.  Unwanted, not because we don’t deeply desire the full, abundant life of Jesus; rather, unwanted, because what being a disciple will change everything.  It is, as Chittister suggests, more than just a transition.  It is more than being whisked away to some exotic location.  It will ask us to be open to God in ways that will challenge our control and ask us to respond to others in ways that go against the scripts of life.  No longer will success be defined as fame, fortunate, and followers on social media.  No longer will we compare ourselves to others.  No longer will we race and run through life.  Resurrection can convict and compel us to live with wonder and surprise each day.  This is why I believe Easter is fifty days, we need to practice prayerfully this way of being and living.  We need to be honest that this doesn’t come naturally and can feel abnormal.  What will our friends think when we are kind to someone who hides knifes in words rather than offering a sarcastic comment?  What will people think when we stop playing a game where there is some imaginary score board out there?  What will others say when we stop complaining, start naming and noticing that amid the brokenness there is blessing?  Will anyone understand the sort of seismic shift in our soul?  That no, things are not always awesome, but is it really our job to be the savior/superhero of the world?  Or is our job to participate in what the holy is preparing?  How can we know what God is setting before us if we never slow down or stop long enough for God to get a word in edgewise?

 

So breathe today.

Prayerfully ponder what is in your net?

Examine the fish (that is, the experiences and encounters and events and people and places);

Listen for God’s wisdom to help you sort through how all that we carry can shape us;

Listen for God’s wisdom as you craft a response.

 

May you know more than a trace of God’s grace; may you be lost in wonder, love, and praise.  Amen.