Juggling for Dummies (a Lectionary reflection by Steve Orr)

When most of us think of juggling, we picture someone tossing several differently-shaped objects into the air, possibly while riding a unicycle, possibly exchanging those objects with another person riding a unicycle.

We think juggling is complicated.

But that's not how real jugglers learn the craft. They start small, with two or three balls. Or better yet, with ball-like bags that don't bounce away when they aren't caught. Which --the not being caught part-- happens a lot when beginners are learning the craft of juggling. Still, most people can learn to juggle three small, equally-sized objects. True, its not automatic, and, true, it takes practice.

But it's not complicated.

The complicated stuff comes later ... much later. Jugglers must first become really good at getting those three, relatively small things to do as they should. Once they master that beginner level, then, and only then, should they consider taking on more complicated routines.

Few of us are going to progress to the chainsaws-juggling level. A few will; a few always do. But they invest a lot of time and diligent practice ---years of practice--- before they can confidently juggle the most difficult (and, quite possibly, most dangerous) things.

In this week's Lectionary scriptures, we read in the book of Micah, where, somewhat rhetorically, he wonders how someone shows proper respect to God. He asks if special, and increasingly difficult sacrifices would be required to impress God? What kind of sacrifice would be big enough, dangerous enough, meaningful enough to cancel out a person's sin?

But Micah already knows the answer, and it's not that complex. In fact, it is surprisingly simple: "God has told you what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?"

Sure, there are people ---a few--- who are called to do much more complicated and dangerous things in this life. But that's not most of us.

The challenge before most of us God-followers: to begin with a few, relatively simple actions, and ---most importantly--- to not skip over the beginner level. We need that beginner stage. It may well be that we are called to transit our spiritual journey with the basics, to spend all our time keeping just those three balls in the air. For most of us ---the overwhelming majority of us--- that is all God is asking.

To consistently act justly, to consistently be merciful, and to consistently walk humbly in God's presence, all at the same time: you may find, as have I, that there's plenty of challenge in that.

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READINGS FOR THE COMING WEEK
http://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/lections.php?year=A&season=Epiphany

Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany (January 29, 2017)
Micah 6:1-8
Psalm 15
1 Corinthians 1:18-31
Matthew 5:1-12
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I hope you can join us Friday morning at Lectionary Breakfast. We're still at the Waco "Egg and I" restaurant, reading scripture, praying, eating, and laughing from 8:00 to 9:00. Sometimes we're in the meeting room in the main restaurant (you can see us), and sometimes were in a room at the back of the building. If you're not sure, ask.

Jugglers welcome (but juggling not required).

Blessings,
Steve


* As far as I know, there is no such book as Juggling for Dummies. However, there are many excellent juggling books and tutorials around. Google "basic juggling" and you can find several training aids, both free and for sale.