Disruptive grace

I completed the annual Power Washing Of The Back Deck ceremony the other night. It was a beautiful evening so I grabbed some scotch, a cigar and "Disruptive Grace," a compilation of Brueggemann lectures. 

I came upon a couple of nuggets: 

"Genesis 1-2 is not a story about beginnings. It is a story about an alternative model of reality that has restfulness at its center, of refusal to go beyond appropriate generativity in world-making, or in creating a "presence" of worth and money."

"Human persons are to be free of anxiety that propels achievement, productivity, or accomplishment...I do not need to point out, do I, that YHWH's life-giving system is a sharp and complete contrast to Pharaoh's brick-maing system, in which everyone is propelled by production anxiety?"

"What used to be called 'Cannanite fertility religion' is an effort at can-do, self-help notions that by actions of acquisitiveness inhabitants of the land can secure their own future. This notion is a direct threat to Israel, for Moses reminds Israel that all is a gift and not an achievement."  

I read that last sentence and I slowed down. Somehow when I understand the robin that's singing is a gift, the big spruce over there is a gift, this sky right like it is right now...is a gift, I slow down and notice them. When I slow down they go deeper into me, they go deeper into this creature in God's good creation. When I understand a good book is a gift, a hand rolled cuban is a gift, a 12 year scotch is a gift, a back deck, a house, a neighbourhood, a city... they're all gifts and I can slow down and notice them. When I slow down they go deeper into me a world-maker in a world that's made and it's all a gift. 

 

 

Posted via email from The Broken Wing