Brandi Carlile continues by writing: “You see the smile that’s on my mouth, It’s hiding the words that don’t come out, And all of my friends who think that I’m blessed, They don’t know my head is a mess, No, they don’t know who I really am, And they don’t know what I’ve been through like you do, And I was made for you…”
We were made for each other. We are to know and be known. This is woven into the very tapestry of what we call humanity – it is this notion that we were created for one another – that it is not good for us to be alone. It is not good for us to be in isolation. It is not good for us to put walls up that exclude. It is not good for us to push each other away. It is not good for us to hide from one another. It is not good for us to inflict violence upon one another. We are to look at each other and recognize the fact that this is bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh. We recognize that in Jesus – as he gives us his body and blood – so that we might be the body of Christ. For in Jesus we can know and be known. In Jesus we can trust one another. In Jesus we can lay down our lives for one another. In his body he can make one new humanity – which breaks down the dividing walls between us.
Yesterday I had a very full day. It started at 4am and then ended around 11pm. It was a great day – I performed the wedding for our newest couple – Brian & Ali Krause. I got to go to an awesome concert – thank you again to Cinnamon Leggett and friends. You all are truly a blessing! We are so glad to be in ministry with you all. But before the concert – I stepped away at 4pm to go and do a funeral at Greenfield Lake. A man named Bud – one of our friends who has lived on the streets for years – he died this last week. His liver shut down on him.
When I met Bud – I met him because I brought him to my office to take a shower. Kathryn Winston asked me if I could hook him and his friend up with a shower – because it had been a couple of months since they last were able to take a shower. Bud had a hard time walking – so Kathryn helped him to the shower. After getting all cleaned up – they went back to the streets and Kathryn was helping them to get money so they could get housing.
That was about 2 ½ months ago – and now both of these men are dead. One was found alone in the woods – he probably died of heat exhaustion. And then of course Bud died of liver failure. And yesterday – Bud’s closest friends gathered together – read some scripture together – prayed together – sang together – and mourned together. His friends sang a James Taylor’s song – You’ve Got a Friend.
Today, my sisters and brothers – I am standing right here in front of you. I haven’t had a mountain top experience to come and tell you about – but I have been to Greenfield Lake. I am not here to tell you of some grand experience where I have felt overwhelmed by God’s love – but I did get to hear the story of a homeless man who died alone. I don’t have some larger than life story to tell you about how I have been overwhelmed with a sense of God’s presence – but I have held hands with a stranger – and I have sang about God’s amazing grace.
I am sick and tired of us needing these constant ecstatic experiences – and that we have to keep going from mountain top to mountain top. I instead want to laugh with those who are laughing. I want to weep with those who are weeping. I want to rejoice with those who are rejoicing. I want to be angry with those who are angry. I want to sing with those who are singing. I want to give my shower to those who need a shower. I want to be generous with what the Lord has entrusted to me. I want to listen for those who have something to say.
In the midst of God’s breath – I want to exhale my story and then inhale your story. For in that story we are part of God’s humanity. A humanity that is made new in Jesus Christ.