Lent Devotional 16

In The Heart of Christianity Marcus Borg writes about “thin places”. The metaphor “thin places” comes from ancient Celtic Christianity which flourished in Ireland and parts of the British Isles in the 5^th Century AD. This world view sees God present everywhere and in everything. As humans we occasionally connect with the divine in a special place, through another person, through music, poetry, the arts, dance, or dance and in that instant of connection the “human” and the “sacred” interface.

Have you ever experienced a “thin place”?

I have. There are special places like camp, the beach, etc. which are sacred for me. There are people in my life that literally ooze God all over me. I am not very artsy, but music has often created “thin places” for me.

I remember the first concert that deeply moved me. In November 1973 a college fraternity brother and friend John Milazzo and I went to see The Who at the Omni in Atlanta. “Magic Bus”, “See Me… Hear Me”, and a long list of songs were great, but the best part of the show had to be the rock opera “Quadrophenia”. Almost magical how 4 guys could make such great music. I was so overwhelmed and that when I had the money I bought the cassette tape. Three things I remember most clearly now about that night, which are kind of sad. First that was the last time I ever saw Milazzo. He finished his classes and moved on and we lost touch with each other. Second the tape was not a live performance and I seldom played it. Finally, this was my last big arena rock concert…. the end of an era in my life. Good memory, but probably not really a “sacred” thin place.

A few years back life I was in the midst of a dark time in my life. I was physically, mentally, and spiritually exhausted. I was not sure if God and I had a working relationship that was really working. Few people knew what I was feeling because I hide things really well, but I knew. It was Easter Sunday, but it felt like Black Friday and I found myself going through the motions and doing what a preacher was supposed to do. The special music that Easter was Josh Groban’s You Raise Me Up.  That became a “thin place” for me. Nothing really changed. I was still physically, mentally, and spiritually exhausted, but I somehow knew that in spite of my exhaustion I was not alone. I cannot explain that worship experience, but whenever I hear that song I once again feel something, and it is not exhaustion but the real presence of God. 

“Thin Places” are there for all of us because God is present everywhere and in everyone. All you and I have to do is be aware of that possibility.

Have a great weekend. Remember The Messiah at 10:30 on Sunday… might just be a “thin space” for some of us.

SHALOM,

Tom Mc