Putting your whole self in ain’t hokey

by Kari Henkelmann Keyl

Have you heard about the bumper sticker that says, “What if the hokey pokey really is what it’s all about?”

That’s how last night’s Bread for Your Journey got started, just after the theme of the evening was announced: “you put your whole self in” (see this blog’s previous post for more on the theme). I can’t take credit for it. It bubbled up out of our circle of those gathered. Lying in the center of that circle was a black scarf of mourning, holding a small cruet of oil, a bit of flour, a couple of shekels, and some random-looking chains. You’ll see why in a minute…

If you’d like to enter into this time of reflection, prayer, and discussion hop over to http://www.breadforyourjourney.blogspot.com/  and then come on back to hear more.

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All three stories show us people who threw themselves into something, not planning to be heroes at all. But those actions were noticed. And a kind of energy exudes from the telling of their stories. Sometimes that’s exactly the energy we need to get us connected again, connected to what we are passionate about – what we’d like to put our whole selves into.

In the story from Mark’s gospel, we see Jesus pointing out two different kinds of passion. Over in this corner, we see some guys who put their whole selves into dressing well and looking good. In order to pull it off, they have to strong-arm the weakest folks, get some extra income by stomping on the poor. This kind of passion leaves people feeling like they themselves are gods. Not good for the relationship with the real God.

And in this corner… where did you say to look, Jesus?... oh! over there! There she is... the one whose putting her whole self into her gift to God. She’s passionately connected to the God she serves. And she becomes for us a beacon of light. Even though she has so little, she has what really matters: trust in the God who loves her.

Even as Jesus points at her, she’s pointing back to Jesus, in a way. And that’s what REALLY makes her a hero. Her giving of her whole self lights the path that is ahead of Jesus… as he walks into dangerous territory, putting his life on the line. Jesus puts his whole self into connecting all people to the God who loves them. And when we accept this gift of life, we are freed to give our whole selves with abandon, with joy.   This passionate joy multiplies as we share it in community, the community God's spirit draws together, whether it's at the Crowne Plaza, or here on line. 

And THAT’S what it’s all about.

At least that’s what I think. How about you? Please comment as the spirit moves you. Start some conversation and see where it goes…

Peace,
Kari