Lent Devotional 12

In his book The Heart of Christianity Marcus Borg makes the point that Jesus of Nazareth is described in the New Testament in 5 ways. They are Jesus as a Jewish mystic, a healer, a wisdom teacher, a social prophet, and a movement initiator. If I try to be like Jesus I am most comfortable with the last 3 roles and least comfortable with Jesus as a Jewish mystic and healer.

It is very clear to me that I do not have the gift of healing. I believe God heals and I claim that, but I am not a healer.

But being a mystic seems like something that each of us should be trying to become. My definition of a mystic is one who becomes more God-like by having frequent intimate experiences with God. In the Gospels Jesus has visions, he fasts, and he regularly prays. He takes time away from the daily busyness of ministry and has God centered time. Here lies the problem for me…. time apart to focus on God.

Several days ago at the Young at Heart luncheon I recommended 3 places in Atlanta that were must sees. First, would be the Cyclorama and Grant Park as a perfect picture of “old Atlanta”. Next would be the ML King Center and Dr. King’s grave site as a reminder of the changes that have affected Atlanta and our nation. And finally the Coke Museum in Underground, because it is fun and the Coke is free.

When I was in Seminary I lived a ½ mile from Grant Park so I would often stop there and sit at a picnic table and just read. It was a special place and here are a couple of reasons why.

First, it was not named after Ulysses S Grant, but after Lemuel Grant an Atlanta engineer. That is a mistake I only made one time.

Second, it is the oldest park in Atlanta and its location meant that many people would not come downtown to use it. But I was a downtown oasis for me. On spring days I remember stretching out in the sun and reading till I fell asleep. Grant Park was where I took my MMPI which was a part of the psychological tests that I had to take to be ordained a deacon…. by the way this may have been a mistake because I may have been more focused on the park and not the questions.

Third, Grant Park is a park, but it is also a neighborhood. When I lived there it was a neighborhood of young professionals renovating old houses and poor people living in old run down houses. I remember a friend’s “renovated” house and the only bathroom was built on the back porch. It was a room to be avoided on a cold winter day. The contrasts of the neighborhood were incredible.

But Grant Park will always be one of those places where I could “get away”. “Get away” from school, church, Cabbagetown, and people…. a place of quiet in the craziness of life. Fortunately there are still those places. The dock at camp, the beach on Anna Maria at the end of Cedar, national and state parks, and the list goes on of places where I can take advantage of “away time”. But the greatest challenge is taking time to do it.

I am guessing that Jesus took time away to survive and refresh. But I also think he took time away to remind you and me of the need to reconnect with creation, each other, and God. I hope you will join me in this essential act of faith.

Have a wonderful day and

SHALOM,

Tom Mc