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Word from the Pastor
Friends,
A few weeks ago, I started CrossFit training at their center on Akron Road. Some of you may be familiar with CrossFit. It is a seriously heavy-duty workout program that includes not only weightlifting but a steady regimen to improve one’s physical strength and stamina. If you think that your pastor is now going to become a bodybuilder, I may have to disappoint you :) I began the training because I’d love to become stronger and healthier… and to be honest, my hope is that it will make it easier to handle the approaching winter “gloom.”
These are early days in my training, and truthfully, I find it quite challenging, even as I already feel better and more energetic. Yesterday, a more seasoned trainee stopped me to welcome me into the CrossFit community and as she did, she shared words of encouragement. “Don’t get discouraged,” she said. “At the beginning, it is hard… and you may feel like you do not know what you are doing. But just stick with it. Keep on building up your core strength.” She went on to say that it took her about a year before she got into a groove.
As I reflect on my experience with CrossFit, it seems to me that in a way it is quite similar to the journey of discipleship. We have a vision of perfection of the Beloved Community that scriptures depict for us. Jesus models for us the ways members of the Beloved Community ought to relate and share life with others. Yet, that perfection feels so elusive and often too far beyond our reach. We often don’t know what to do in the face of change or uncertainty… and yes, we have experienced a lot of that in our pandemic-ridden, messy world, and in our personal circumstances. My new gym companion’s words seem appropriate for the practice of faithful living as well: “Stick with it! Keep building up your core strength!”
Franciscan contemplative Father Richard Rohr shares that he learned from Thérèse of Lisieux (19th century mystic) how to embrace his own and others’ imperfections. As Thérèse understood, “Jesus does not demand great actions from us but simply surrender and gratitude.” For we are all being loved in spite of ourselves, simply because of God’s goodness. We can let go of our worries, and trust that Love, which shapes us and molds us into God’s new creation.
Brené Brown, a contemporary teacher on embracing our imperfections says that “when we spend a lifetime trying to distance ourselves from the parts of our lives that don’t fit with who we think we’re supposed to be, we stand outside of our story and hustle for our worthiness by constantly performing, perfecting, pleasing, and proving… It is in the process of letting go of what others think of us, and of our ego, and embracing our imperfections that we find our truest gifts: courage, compassion, and connection.”
Friends, as we continue our journey of discipleship, may we practice showing up with our imperfections… May we not see them as inadequacies. Rather let’s practice showing courage and compassion to ourselves and others around us. Let us keep seeking deeper connections.
And may we remember that we are enough just as we are and that we are worthy of love and belonging.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Enikö
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