Snow in the South...it's crazy, complex, and difficult.
But another word comes to my mind during the past week of this winter wonderland. Simplicity.
We traveled to the little historic community of Rugby, Tennessee on Friday, just as the snow and ice began to make it's way in to the area. This was the second year of a new tradition...Michael plans a January, after-hectic-holidays retreat for our family of five. He scoped out Rugby himself and the other four of us didn't know much about our destination. As the trip approached, we did a bit of Rugby research on line so we would know a bit about where we are headed. That is a Thomas family rule...educate yourself as to where you are going. The kids crossed their fingers that dad had chosen a decent lodging option, as history has told us this isn't always the case. For this momma, I didn't really care what the accommodations were; I was just excited to get away from the hustle and bustle of real life.
Turns out, Dad did good. We stayed in a quaint and quiet little cottage. By quaint, I mean nothing fancy, but it was clean and it had more than all the necessities we needed. And by quiet I mean no television, no WiFi, no really good cell service, and not a lot of other tourists around. Everything we wanted to do and see was within walking distance.
Simplicity.
We took walks in the snow, looked at old buildings, and met new friends. We played Monopoly, drank hot chocolate, and ate homemade pimento cheese. We laughed, teased, and prayed.
Simplicity.
We looked at antiques and asked questions as to how goat's milk could make the best soap. We visited an old country store, much like the ones my granddaddy use to frequent. We sat in old straight back chairs and waited as the lady behind the counter prepared fresh cut fried bologna sandwiches with rim cheese. We talked with her and ate slowly, no rush to be any where.
Simplicity.
Rugby has some of the sweetest little historic buildings. Nothing extraordinary, just simple and little and old. We found our way into one of the oldest, the local Episcopal church. The two stained glass windows behind the pulpit were beyond beautiful. The pews were old and uncomfortable. The song books and books of common prayer that sat ready for the parishioners to use had crisp pages and had that smell that draws one in to the words found on every page.
Again, I found simplicity.
But I think the greatest simplicity came from the fellow that spoke to us that day. He was a priest of an Episcopal church from Knoxville. He had made the trek over to Rugby to service the congregation for the weekend and care for them. He began to talk about the simplicity that lies within some of the big words that those that carry the name Christian theologian seem to throw around like all of us unversed in deep theology should but don't understand.
You know the ones, right? Trinity, exegesis, epistles, discipleship, the narrative...
That day, he chose to use the word "incarnation". When three kids I know began to have that confused look I am all too familiar with, he politely and kindly said this...
"Oh yes, incarnation. That's another one of those words that us ministers and priests use that we assume are easy to understand, but make us a bit out of touch with the people we are called to teach. You see that's just a big word for God telling us , 'Yeah, I have been there and done that'. That's all it really means."
When you look up the word incarnation, one will find this...
[in-kahr-ney-shuh n]
noun
1. an incarnate being or form
2. living being embodying a deity or spirit
3. assumption of human form or nature
4. the Incarnation (sometimes lowercase) Theology. The doctrine that the second person of the Trinity assumed human form in the person of Jesus Christ and is completely both God and man.
5. a person or thing regarded as embodying or exhibiting some quality, idea, or the like
When asked before by my children, I have briefly described it as "God became flesh". And I have pretty much left it at that, I guess assuming they just get it. After hearing the priest's explanation and focusing on that one clause in the definition, I am going back to clarify the beauty of this with the three kids.
Yes, Jesus did come to earth and put on this clothing we call flesh. He had eyelashes, and fingernails, and teeth. He got dirty and stinky and took a bath. His hair had to be washed and brushed. He had germs, got sick, and ate and drank. I bet he stumped his toe a time or two. He was a fleshly, earthly human. He had his likes and dislikes. He had to learn to read and write. He learned his father's trade...carpentry. He was tasked with respecting and obeying his mother. I bet at times he could be a hand full, just like all other little boys.
But what I think we loose sight of so often is that he had all the other human stuff going on too. His very human side is the part that us mortal humans can't really wrap our heads around. Emotions...he had them and a lot of them...just like we do. He loved to visit with people and get to know them. He enjoyed gathering around a table and sharing conversation over food. He got tired and run down at times. He had pure joy in laughter. He became angry and irritated on occasion. There are times I am sure things gave him chill bumps. His feelings were hurt and he might of felt left out. He was disappointed when folks and friends made the wrong decisions. He knew what it felt like to loose a friend and be the center of gossip.
Jesus was tempted. He knew what the pressure felt like to fit in and belong to the crowd. Satan chased him, taunted him, and threw things in his path to make him stumble. At times, I think if we remember he was human, we can realize he was afraid at times. His heart probably raced with a bit of anxiety.
Sometimes he spoke in metaphors but sometimes he just stated truth or fact. I have sat in a bible class or two in my time and we debate or discuss what Jesus meant when he said this or that. At times this is a necessity but much of the time I think we overthink, Jesus just being Jesus, and we forget he was human. Yes, he was God...100%...but what we tend to forget is that he was also human...100% human.
Yes, I understand and agree he was perfect. He was God after all and he came to save and redeem us. But when we negate the other part of the reason he came, we are missing out on the big picture. He came to understand, to be able to empathize, and to walk where we all have and do walk. He was our Father...and then also became our brother.
He left heaven...came to earth...was born of a natural childbirth, just like the rest of us. And then he lived. He just didn't put on flesh; he lived life. I want my kids to know that yes, Jesus came to save and redeem them...he was perfect...he was God...but he also came to live his life. That way when they are wrestling with the rough stuff of life maybe, just maybe, they can close their eyes and hear him say..."Hey, I have been there and done that. You got this."
Incarnation. It's that simple.
No comments:
Post a Comment