Mud and Blood
And the Word became flesh and lived among us… – John 1:14 (NRSV)
A friend once said something astonishing. This friend did not identify with any faith, but he was very interested in philosophy, spirituality, mythology, and religion. He said:
“If I was to create my own deity, I would make a god who knows what it’s like to be alone, a god who maybe even felt afraid or abandoned. What good is a god who sits up in the clouds? Give me a god covered in mud and blood. A god who is humble and compassionate. Not pretty but real.”
That alone was breathtaking, but he wasn’t finished.
“The only problem with a god like that is you might not recognize him. You could walk past him on the street or in a store or wherever and miss him. He could be standing right in front of you, staring you in the face and you wouldn’t know it. You’d have to learn to pay attention, keep your eyes open and be ready for surprises.”
I have never heard a better definition of the God of Christianity. A God who camouflages in mud and blood is one who prefers not to stand out. Perhaps God loves surprise appearances and hides themselves with pure delight and giddy anticipation.
I’m not new at this Christianity thing but I’m still learning to slow down, look carefully and pay attention. I’m as surprised as the next person when God shows up in unlikely faces and places. The fact that I have a label called “unlikely” reveals how far I have to go …and how much giddy delight I bring to God.
Prayer
God of mud and blood, today, let me find you in friends, co-workers, strangers and in the mirror.
About the AuthorMatt Laney is co-Pastor of Virginia Highland Church UCC in Atlanta, GA and the author of Pride Wars, a fantasy series published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for Young Readers. The first two books, The Spinner Prince and The Four Guardians are available now.