Living Theology.
Since school got out, I’ve been working 40 hours a week. This kind of thing has cut severely into my schedule. I’ve also been reading a bunch of fun-fiction and spending a lot of time with friends and family. I haven’t spent near as much time reading or thinking explicitly about theological or philosophical issues. However, that doesn’t mean I haven’t been doing theology. Sharing life with my wife and my friends is an explicitly theological act. Resting and recovering from a long year at school is theological. Everything is theological. Everything that I do reflects my experiences with the Divine. Unfortunately, some of those experiences are more positive than others, but I can’t deny that every moment of my life is profoundly meaningful, especially the mundane ones.
All that to say, I haven’t really had much to say lately. I’m not sure that I’m at a place where I can really express theological thoughts in discourse and words and such. And I don’t feel bad about that. Not even for a minute.
Most profoundly, I’ve noticed the amazing wonder that happens with food. Yesterday, I had biscuits and gravy with scrambled eggs at my aunt’s house for breakfast. I sat and chatted with my aunt and my grandfather, enjoying stories and laughing. For lunch, Hilary made marinated turkey burgers and a huge fresh salad. My aunt, Clutter and his dad, and Hilary and I sat there for an hour just talking about food. Then we had Pineapple Whip to top it all off. For dinner, Clutter made pulled pork sandwiches and grilled asparagus; Hilary fixed some peaches and cream sweet corn. Tonight, my friend Lindsey is coming over, and we’re all going to do some serious baking.
We’re lucky to live where we do and to be able to enjoy such delicious food. But all of this food has been a reminder to me that it isn’t what’s on the table that matters, it’s who is around it. And everyone is welcome at Christ’s Table.
What is it about eating with friends and/or family that calls us to transcend the mere consumption of sustenance to consider the sacred? Hospitality, sharing in sacrifices, the joy of parties and banquets are often used as metaphors to illustrate relationship with the Ultimate Mystery. Perhaps it’s the universal human need to express gratitude for that which satisfies on all sorts of levels. I do wonder. Why do we even turn to the eating and sharing of food to talk about God?
This is far more applicable, meaningful, and speaks to me so much deeper than most all ‘theological talk’. But that’s cuz I’m not a theologin. And I don’t understand that stuff 99.9% of the time. This type of theology, however, is gold.
This is what’s made it’s way into my mind since moving here. “Regular” people (what a blessing!) don’t run through the theological and philosophical paces every day like I do.
Or do they? If good theology is “done” more than thought, then these “regular” people have stumbled onto an aspect of theology I have yet to grasp: the simple enjoyment of God (nerdy subj./obj. genitive query implied).
Sometimes, though, it just seems that life or God is anything but something to be enjoyed. Debbie Downer signing out.
There are always amazing things that happen when loved ones gather and break bread together. For me, it’s a reminder of the One who has given the means, and the ones He’s given us to enjoy the moments with. After losing my Momma recently…you better believe that I do not take one single second for granted that He has given me with these people I love.
BTW…we’d love to see you guys soon!
I refer to this as a ‘theoatrical’ display of the integration of Christ in and with his people. There is nothing logical about community or even the xian life foe that matter. From what I have come to understand in my own faith journey is that xianity is more illogical than anything else. P.s. Lets get coffee saturday. Love you