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Eleven pipers piping (the 11 faithful apostles)Thursday, January 4, 2001
John 1:35-42 Hokey, maybe, but the scene got me. When the sirens beckon, I so much want to believe. Department stores draw me in to spend my money because of their promise of savings. Every year I believe the U of I football and basketball teams are going to win all their games. I expect the medicine the doctor gives me to heal me, thoroughly and completely in every way. I even listen to telemarketers sometimes! All their lives we have watched our kids be nearly overwhelmed by the promises of Christmas. They no longer leap and jump and shout at 5 a.m. December 25, but anticipation still keeps everyone from sleeping much on Christmas Eve. So much, so much, so much...to wonder what wonderful way joy will come in the morning. And of course there's the letdown, the postparty blues known to all of us. . Of course the Playstation will only be fun, not fulfilling. Of course we won't see so much more clearly on a clear day, certainly not forever. That doesn't stop me from hoping for it all the next time. Henri Nouwen, in Return of the Prodigal Son, writes, "The great conversion called for by Jesus is to move from belonging to the world to belonging to God." I am understanding a little more each year just how radical a move that is. Every promise held out by the members of my world is just a little hollow. But Jesus says his water forever quenches thirst; he promises me. And he says, "Come, and you will see." Lord, you are beckoning me...I want to follow. I don't have to know, you know. I don't have to lead, you lead. I don't have to see, you see. And you tell me I will too. I will put my feet one in front of the other, and move up the path behind you. |
In the movie, Patch Adams had his vision checked by a rich man who had, like Patch, checked himself in to the mental hospital. The wacky old guy held up three fingers. "How many fingers do you see?!!!" he shrieked. Finally Patch focused past the fingers and saw into the fuzzy distance, looking toward the unfinished, undone, the possible. He saw through the physical, and he saw more.