The first thing I was told when learning to juggle: Be sure to start with balls that don’t bounce.
Apparently, that's how real jugglers start out. Long before they juggle complicated things like pins or chainsaws, they must first learn the craft. They start small, with two or three balls. And, preferably, those “balls” are actually small stuffed bags that don't bounce away when they—inevitably—fall to the ground.
Most people can learn to juggle three small, same-sized objects. Of course, success is not automatic—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. In short: Don't have too many balls in the air. The more complicated routines must wait until after mastering the beginner level.
In a way, this week's selection from the prophet Micah is also about juggling. He asks the reader to consider how someone shows proper respect to God. Are special, and increasingly difficult, sacrifices required to impress God? What kind of sacrifice would be big enough, dangerous enough, meaningful enough to cancel out a person's sin?
Micah already knows and quickly reveals the answer. It is surprisingly simple: Do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God.
See? Not complicated.
Sure, there are people—a few—who are called to do more complicated things in life. But that's not most of us. The challenge before most of us God-followers is this: to begin with a few, relatively simple actions, and to not skip the beginner level.
Do you have too many balls in the air?
For most of us, God is only asking this: Keep just those three balls circling. That is, to consistently act justly, be merciful, and 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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I hope you can join us Friday morning at DaySpring’s Lectionary Breakfast. We're still at Our Breakfast Place (and on Zoom**) reading scripture, praying, eating, and laughing from 8:00 to 9:00. Usually we're in a room at the back of the building. If you're not sure, ask.
Blessings,
Steve
**Contact me for the Zoom link
NOTE: Zoom allows you to mute the camera and the microphone if you don’t wish to be seen or heard.
SCRIPTURES FOR SUNDAY AND THE COMING WEEK
Find them here:
https://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/texts.php?id=16
Print them here:
https://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/pdf//Ax_FourthSundayafterEpiphany.pdf
Micah 6:1-8
Psalm 15
1 Corinthians 1:18-31
Matthew 5:1-12
Fourth Sunday After the Epiphany (January 29, 2023)
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