Thoughts for the Journey
The story of Jesus, his life, his ministry, his death and his resurrection really seems unbe-lievable, doesn’t it? Well, we are taught that this is the way of faith. We are challenged to
believe in the unbelievable, the unimaginable, the question “can this really be real?” I would imagine that some people, hearing this story might not see the promise, the hope, the truth in this life changing story. In fact, it might even seem weird.
Growing up, that word was one to avoid, especially the high school years with its own awk-ward attempts at knowing yourself, others, and what it meant to become “adult.” Today…I embrace that word for all its suggestion when my granddaughter states, “Ima, you are so weird.” Ok, so I just danced around the kitchen to a song by Pink with the dog. I guess that is a little weird for her. Remember, she is that high school age that is attempting to know herself, others, and what it means to become “adult.” What is out of the ordinary or natural by others’ definition is weird. The word itself actually suggests something supernatural or unearthly, beyond human definition. It could define so many places and spaces we encounter in life ,
especially the spiritual.
There is a poem by Dee Horn entitled, Religious Weirdness, based on John 20, that brought me to these weird thoughts. In essence, it challenges us to consider our own actions at the death of a friend and then the unbelievable information that that friend is really still alive.
We take the place of those who watched Jesus die in horrid pain on the cross, saw the body taken for burial and then are expected to embrace him in new life. Weird and wonderful.
Consider what the poem asks. Does it create a new awareness of the power of God through Jesus the Christ in supernatural promise by putting us in the story in the exact moment the tomb was discovered open and the renewed figure of Jesus stands before us? You. Me. Would it feel too weird…or... is it right where we need to be?
Embracing the weird for its wonder,
Pastor Laurie
Calvary United Methodist Church ©