Here we are again. Another Lent. Another wilderness wandering. Another start to reflecting on the world via my very sporadic writings. It seems Lent has been the time I feel most compelled to write. Perhaps because of the introspective nature of the season. Maybe it’s just the experience of taking the United Methodist Photo-A-Day challenge and turning it into a post. All I know is here we are again and here I go again.
Day 14: Living
I would like to make a bold claim: Regardless of income, education, political affiliation, social status or other defining characteristic, people are born to play. Now, how they play and how much time they can devote to play is greatly influenced by all those characteristics (and more). Still, living is in many ways a pursuit of play.
Not sure you agree? Consider this season of Lent. Play as an (the?) essential attribute of living is brought into sharp focus when we face the wilderness. Is there anything less playful than profound hunger or thirst? Anything less enjoyable or fun than being tempted to turn from ourselves, others, and God? Is there anything more opposed to play than coming face-to-face with the reminder of our impending death? I mean, truly, death as the antithesis to living could be defined as the permanent suspension of joy and delight and excitement, all components of play.
So, are you living or merely existing? Put another way, are you playing.
For this reason I have suggested when asked what do you do for a living, we change the answer from an occupation or vocation to the values and practices we associate with living.
What do you do? Instead of “I am a pastor.” A more interesting response could be, “Everyday I hope to play and learn and share a little.”
Playing, that’s the kind of living I am after. What about you?
Life is better together,
Shawn
Big Rubber Band Ball 