Simple Can Be Sacred

LEARNING TO SWIM IN THE DEEP END

I remember learning to swim.

The deep end was such an intimidating space, but also seemed like a space where people were having a lot of fund - slides, diving boards, "sharks and minnows."

It took some time, but I eventually became a slide sliding, high dive jump, 12-feet deep-end swimmer.

And it was amazing. There's lots of fun to be had there.

When I go swimming today, I still spend time in the deep end, but I don't stay there exclusively.

Often times I like standing in shallow end or sitting on the edge with my feet in.

In other words, just because at some point I graduated to the deep end of the swimming pool doesn't mean it's the only area I spend time in.

There's something slightly similar going on here in Matthew 19:13b.

MATTHEW 19:13b

Jesus has just finished a hard talk about marriage and divorce.

Jesus is about to launch into a hard talk about wealth and riches.

In the middle of these "serious" moments, the parents of kids seek some simple moments with Jesus - just for him to pray for these little toddlers.

The disciples don't like this:

¹³ Then people brought little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked them."

The disciples felt like these simple moments were interrupting the "serious" work of the kingdom of God.

The disciples get a rebuke for their rebuke.

The kingdom isn't always serious - sometimes it's simple.

SIMPLE CAN BE SACRED

It's certainly true there are some serious aspects to the kingdom of heaven - exorcisms, hard teachings, persecution, spritual warfare, etc.

However, it doesn't mean it's always like this.

Sacred moments don't always have to be serious - sometimes they're simple.

A goofy kids message in church.

A birthday party with bounce houses.

A messy Saturday morning breakfast with the family.

These moments, too, are sacred.

As you lean into Lent - praying and fasting - embrace serious things but also create ample space for simple things.

Just because we know how to swim in the deep end doesn't mean we always need to swim in the deep end.

Sometimes we just need to enjoy an afternoon sitting on the side with our feet dangling in the water.