Everyday Encounter...
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POV: you're a disciple who meets the risen Jesus. Here's what he sings to you.
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POV: You've watched your Rabbi die, it's the Sabbath, and you're praying and preparing to enter the new week to carry on His teachings with the passion he instilled in you. Here's your prayer: POV: You're Nicodemus, or another Pharisee or Scribe who is trying to reconcile who you present to the world and how you feel challenged by how Jesus is. Here's your confession: I found this one whilst planning an Act of Worship for a Secondary School... On "Resilience" believe it or not...
Resilience isn’t mentioned in the bible. I tried to find a greek word as to what it means so that I could check in the geeky apps and things I use to make sure. The word that came back was this one… ελαστικότητα (Elastikótita) However you pronounce it, that first bit is where we get our word “Elastic” (I could tell that without looking it up) So what have I learned? Let's think about Elastic vs Plastic… There’s a house that I regularly drive past that has John 3:3 on a big sign on the wall at the end of their drive. There’s a box next to it offering free bibles. The heart is there, but I would need to sit opposite and see what effect it actually has as an evangelistic endeavour. That said, it had an impact on me.
The verse is in the context of the story of Nicodemus, a religious man who is willing to ask questions of Jesus. He does it quietly and discerningly in the night, and Jesus invests the time in hearing what he’s saying, hearing what he perhaps isn’t saying, and helping him re-frame what is being asked. Nicodemus wants to know about the Kingdom of God. And here are a couple of key verses that Jesus comes back at him with, including the verse on the wall… "You're always trying to see yourself through the eyes of someone else" There's a degree of pressure on us when we do that.
To “hold a mirror up to" is a phrase meaning “to take a look at oneself objectively to examine or reflect on things (issues) stemming from the reality of reflection; to reveal to someone about the way they look (differently) to the rest of the world (so that they can reflect upon themselves); expose, show up, bring to light (some (unpleasant) aspects to oneself)”. Community done badly holds up images of the ideal alongside the mirror and tells us all the ways we don't measure up. This one is about forgiveness. Watch this long, uncomfortable and difficult TED talk, and then have a listen to the song. Sometimes songs just get an "AMEN!" This is one of those. And I think it speaks for itself as a song... I'm not sure what I can add! Anyone else feel it? A short one today... Can't remember where I cam across this one, but it's quite catchy! What will you say "Thank you" for today? What's on you list? Does pain feature in your "Thank you"? Should it? Who or what are you saying "Thank you" to? (There isn't even a "Read more..."!)
They say that ignorance is bliss.
Sometimes we'd rather close our eyes and have everything go away. Perhaps if we sleep things will be better when we wake. Someone will have magically fixed the problem. I guess this song just draws together the thoughts that I've already had with "Bridge over troubled water" and "Eyes of a child". |
Every-Day EncounterIf you'd rather listen and come to your own conclusions about the eclectic mix of songs I worked through in Lent 2023, here's the Spotify Playlist! Archives
September 2023
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