Given that Christian faith rests on the fact that God thought so much of humanity that he insisted on it for himself, I cannot for the life of me understand why we Christians are often the ones most afraid of our humanity, most skittish about our bodies or our passions, quickest to think we must add some “spiritual” component to make an earth-bound good truly good. It was, after all, the Creator who introduced good to our vocabulary, and the Creator spoke this fine word not first over religious texts, theological ideals or evangelistic proclamations. Rather, God the gardener-artist took a gander at purple finches, expansive blue skies, lush honeydew and Adam and Eve’s naked bodies — and God said, Well, look what I did…Now that’s good. Good. Good. Good.
Jesus, as we know, was a Palestinian carpenter who spent his days honing his craft — the lay of the wood’s grain, how the steel blade would sing as it sliced from the proper angle, the smooth lines that told the tale of a master who knows his work. As Jesus took on his more “serious” ministry, we discover that he loved the wild air and took great joy in cooking breakfast at daybreak. Jesus always wanted friends near and entered a fury for those suffering indignity. Jesus wept when death stole a life, and Jesus cared for his mother with his own dying breath.
A beautiful novel, an exquisite meal, a night of good love, a ballgame or a movie with the kids, a traipse across the country, a day’s work at the shop or the office, the studio or the classroom – these are gloriously human acts, filled with possibility and beauty, overrun with God.
If our religion makes us less human, something’s wrong with our religion.
Well stated. Well taken. It resonates with Kelli Woodford’s piece that she posted today as well. It’s so good to reminded that our bodies are good and holy things. I think about how well this body has taken care of me. Thank you.
Katie
http://www.katieandraski.com
Thanks, your words reached me at the right time ….last evening.. I was about to end a certain friendship without being patient….I didnt after reading those words!
I’m so glad, angelaes
Thank you for this! My favorite believers are the ones most delighted in the antics of children, most likely to laugh at the drop of a hat, most given to wonder, to aromas, to tastes, to touch, to words, most at home on the planet, most convinced that this is but a foretaste.
Good, good post here, Winn! After a month unplugged this past December I realized that very thing; Jesus’ presence in my life, though it doing all the theologicalness, like saving and sanctifying, has made me more human. Absolutely. I see better than I once did and hear too, some days with a clarity that pains me, both for myself and others. My senses are heightened, the way some drug users continue on in their addiction for. And I can feel. No more numbness for fear of appearing weak or afraid; feelings like tears and laughter and love can flow through me with the force of Living Water. It is new. It is different. But yes, it is most certainly good. Thank You, Jesus.
Good, good post, Winn…funny how too many of us need permission to be human… yea… being less seems too easy for too many…. so like you captured so very simply, live well in this skin until you leave it behind for the new one. And be thankful for this one because it was meant to be good, good for now.
Yet again you have offered a glimpse of the truth and beauty which fill this good world. I am grateful for your ability to not only notice these things, but to point to us to them as wel. Thanks for writing!
Love this. Truly, truly. SO well said – and so important! thank you, friend Winn.
Jesus was a Jewish carpenter, living in a country called Israel. The made up land entitled Palestine was not named so until the Romans called it that after it sacked Jerusalem in 70 AD. To call Yeshua a Palestinian is the same as saying there is no such thing as a Jewish people and no such land as Israel.
Tracy, you’re straining too hard. Jesus was obviously Jewish, obviously living in Israel. These good realities obviously exist. Not everything should be read through a political lens.
I agree with Tracy, not Winn Collier
I agree.
Well said
The well said is for Tracy. For some reason, my replies to Tracy are being posted under Winn Collier’s reply to Tracy, instead of under Tracy’s post, so I mean “Well said Tracy”
Good morning to all you good, beautiful humans. Thanks for your kind words.
so profoundly true I have subscribed- it was well worth popping over from Lisa-Jo’s blog.
Mary,
New Zealand
Lovely. Thank you.