I wouldn’t start from there

There is this story, about an American in Ireland.

She’s trying to get to Dublin, and is hopelessly lost.

She pulls off the road and asks a farmer how to get to Dublin.

The farmer deliberates a bit, then says

“well, lass, truth be told, I wouldna start from here”.

I kind of feel this way when I’m scrolling through Facebook, and I see some debate go totally off subject, and veer into insanity. “woah, dude, I wouldn’t start from THERE!!”

I feel this way when I watch the average Joe-Christian evangelize some poor, lost soul. “please” I want to explain, ” I am so sorry, Joe didn’t need to start from there”.

I super feel this way when my theology is challenged by someone who never stopped to find out from where I had started.

I MEGA feel this way, when, having never understood my journey, people try to explain my “failed” marriage and my soul’s condition to me.

 

When I think about my hoped for destinations,

(yeah, not Dublin, in case you forget that was a story) a few come to mind.

 

Destination Wholehearted living.

Destination Shining light in the world.

Destination Be true to the teaching of Jesus.

Destination Live LOVE.

Destination Reflecting a Creator who calls forth LOVE.

 

From where should I start then, I ask, if that is where I want to find myself, in the end?

 

Shall I start with a scripture reference?

Or, perhaps, some scientific evidence?

Should I start with declarations, and statements?

Or maybe my opinion of all the other people?

 

“No” I hear in my heart. “I wouldn’t start from there”.

 

I’d start at the well, in the heat of the day.

I’d ask you for a drink, then I would speak to you in stories.

I’d start in a room full of men who mocked and criticized you, I’d speak your name, and the truth of who you were.

I would start in the dark, because you were too afraid to find me in the light, and I’d listen, and I would tell you stories.

I’d start with some questions, and some listening.

I would start with tears and speaking to my Father.

I would tell him all of it.

I’d start in a town, dry and unimportant.

I’d shine a star on a single mama, outcast and scored, on the night her child was born.

 

I would start with healing.

Yes. I would start from there.

 

 

stuff that helped:

Liturgist Podcast