Joy With Flesh On

I have a photo of one of my children: on a day of pure sunshine, he is running down the hillside, leading with his chest, his smile and stride wide as his speed picks up. Running is pure delight. Again and again he ran down that hill, feeling the sun kiss his head in early summer, sensing the pleasure of limbs moving at full force. His mama couldn’t help but smile too.

Here was joy with flesh on. This is what the invitation, the get to of being a child with the attention of her Father, feels like. We have a Father who welcomes us into a present, unhurried life, who accepts our paltry offerings. We have a Father who knows what is best for us, who lovingly cares and shepherds us to embrace our limits, so we can know his love.

We must practice bodily rather than technological rhythms. We must start by putting screens away. We use them to push off dissatisfaction with long lines, the emotional fallout from a fight, boredom, and loneliness. We’re being formed by screens instead of through embodied and habitual spiritual practices that move us toward Jesus.

It’s okay to feel the weight of our overwhelm and ask Jesus to meet us in it rather than ignoring it through technological distraction, or weaponizing our pain for virtual strangers. Could you put down your phone long enough to sit with God in that small place?