10-22-24

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHING
October 22, 2024
I am leaving for the Regional Assembly in a couple of days, and Donna said to me, “I’ll miss you. Please don’t runaway and join the circus.” There was a pause, and we both said basically the same thing: “Oh, why trade one circus for another?” As a kid, I loved the circus. It was a wonderful, crazy, surprise-filled, funny, joyful, and, at times, awe-inspiring experience. The strange thing is that I might use that same list of adjectives to describe the church. And in the same way I loved the circus, I can say that I love the church. The Apostle Paul, in 2 Corinthians 11 said, “I repeat, no one should take me for a fool. But if you do, then allow me to be a fool so that I can brag like a fool for a bit” (11:16). I enjoy bragging about what we are doing at Cypress Creek Christian Church, and though a lot of what we do appears foolish to the world, we gladly accept their conclusion as the Gospel has always been turning the world on its head and, in doing so, transforming mourning into laughter.

You must have a good sense of humor, O God of this wonderfully crazy world, for you are the One who invited me to join a clown show that is willing to speak and do the absurd for the sake of those who are hurting, afraid, and experiencing the pain of injustice. Amen.