This morning I was reading in Luke 5 where Jesus has been preaching from the boat just offshore then asks Simon “put out into deeper water and let down your nets for a catch”.  Simon seems to take a deep breath, explains to Jesus that they were out all night in those waters and didn’t catch anything, but, of course, he will go back out at Jesus’ request.

I wonder how many times I have said with a weariness to my spirit, Lord, I have already been there, done that and burned the T-shirt.  In a conversation today a friend and I were talking about what a fellowship for people wounded by life and religion might look like.  Simply put, she didn’t think such a thing is possible.  She doesn’t think enough people are willing to go out, be vulnerable, be accepting of each other in all our fragility and progress, and rely to on God’s strength instead of our own.  I agreed, at first, then said, but there isn’t another way to hope.

I want to be a part of a group of people who are done with ‘church’ as we know it and are just honest about our joys, exasperations, doubts, hopes, fragility and progressing strength.  I want to put off the pretense and just be real and open and to feel safe in doing so…  I have relationships with friends that are characterized by this, some ‘believers ’, some not, all genuine and caring people.  I think I have to throw off a chunk of the ‘christian’ label to find my way into deeper waters…  Or may it is a chip that expanded on my shoulder?  Thank God for His mercy.

I want to do justice, love mercy, walk humbly.