“This Christmas season, when custom, tradition and God come into conflict, which will we choose?”

Don Merritt asked a thinker of a question in: “Human Custom, Tradition and God’s Promises”  Please read Don’s post if you haven’t already – or else the words here might not make a lot of sense.

Custom: what others endorse
Tradition: what I endorse
God’s promises: what God (and custom and tradition) endorses
I wonder why we still need “endorsement”.
I wonder why we default to a comfort blanket of biblically endorsed self-approval.

Does God say what I want to do is ok?  Does God say what I think is wrong is wrong?  

Custom: others say it is ok (or not)
Tradition: I say it is ok (or not)
God’s promises: God says it is ok (or not)
I wonder why we still need to know it is “ok” (or not)
And I wonder how deep that really goes even today.

Because I think custom, tradition and God would all agree: the bible says whatever I want it to say … the bible endorses anything I want it to endorse.  Every religion and faith suffers schisms because that is true of all sacred texts.  So I think that we have to live rather than just follow – I think we have to explore rather than just map-read (and argue over) the wide roads –

I think I have to become rather than just be.

Becoming is movement.  Being is static.  And if I am only one or the other – I am neither.

Jesus said, “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

We are halfway through the annual pilgrimage to that stable.

But I have never looked at a baby and said to him/her out aloud or even under my breath: “Thank you for being born.”  I have never looked at one baby and ever thought: “Thank you for saving your parents.”

But I have looked in awe, touched in wonder, cuddled and rocked timelessly, breathed in that sweet smell of new life, looked deep into eyes that don’t yet see me.  I have been swallowed up in love.  I have looked at the parents and had no words – too much love for words – only a hug, a kiss, a smile, a look, a touch …

“I am gentle and humble in heart”  Is not a yes/no comfort blanket it changes as my heart changes.   “I will give you rest” Is different “rest” for each of us – that changes as we each change.  “My yoke is easy and my burden is light” is unique to each of us – that changes as we each change.

This Christmas I will live where I am right now with God Soft Hands Jesus who lives with me wherever I am right now.  A friend who loves without condition.

And if I am busy reading a map … looking for yes/no answers … busy “being” rather than becoming …

How can I ever find all there is to find –

How ever become all I can be?

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Thanks Don, and Merry Christmas!

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