I’m not an avid football fan. That’s why when I lived in Wisconsin I could readily take on the "fever." I even have a cheese-head to show for it - which actually I rarely show, much less wear. And now that the Bears are going to the Super Bowl I hope that long-standing Bears fans don’t mind me jumping on the bandwagon and enjoying the celebrations.
And I don’t believe the critics of baseball who claim it is too slow. How much time do football players spend in huddles, standing around, the minutes culminating in a play that is non-decisive for either offense or defense: a three yard gain? But I digress...
What occasionally does excite me about football is the unexpected play... The end around that doubles back and everyone is fooled and surprised - including the spectators in the stand...or the fake punt...or the lateral...the trick that succeeds. The unexpected, planned and executed is a marvelous thing to behold.
I know too that I - along with uncreative football offenses - can get locked into a set of responses to situations that is all-too predictable. I run the same play over and over and get no where. I begin responding to my spouse, my children, my co-workers in a predictable way. And even more, because I know them (or think I do) I begin to put their responses into a category that is "familiar" even when they have something new to say. Life forms its ruts - not the least of which are the ruts of my emotional responses. In the process I cut off my own creativity and the creativity of those around me.
The same rut can apply to my relationship with God too. My prayer can become perfunctory. My "living relationship" with God can degenerate into an expected assumption - that God will always be there.
It helps to take a step back, view the field of possibilities, and consciously choose an option - perhaps something never tried before. Newness is a refreshing thing...like news of a resurrection to tired, grieving disciples.
I am blessed to be able to gather with clergy weekly to look at the lectionary texts for the week. One of the things they help me to do is look at the text/stories with fresh eyes and to hear things in it that I've never heard before. So God's Word becomes a living Word - new and fresh.
Anyone have any testimonies of "new life" to share to inspire us in these cold days?
Please send your comments to: blogs@bethel-ucc.org. Please place the title, Expanding the Repertoire in the subject line.