I’m trying something strange. I think it is good to try unusual ideas. I guess I think strangeness is a virtue. I am aware that just because something is strange does not mean it is good. However, if we are trying to follow God’s will in a world of sin, we will end up acting strange by the world’s standards. Also, in my reading of the gospels, our model, Jesus rarely seems to be “normal”. Good, certainly, but also strange.
Anyways, here is the thing I am trying; “WeCroak”. On a podcast clip show, an interviewee had a medical diagnosis that meant death was coming soon but then learned she would live much longer than expected. She observed her relationships were richer because she had been alert to her mortality. Even with her new lease on life, she wanted to keep that perspective. She found an app called “WeCroak”.
It is based on a saying from Bhutan that contemplating death five times daily brings happiness. Five times a day, the app will send a mortality reminder notification, along with a quote. The wisdom comes from Bhutan, but I think it resonates with a core truth of Christianity; our mortal lives are fleeting. True life and resurrection are found only in God. Also, my first quote was from Tolkien, so I’m sold; “If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.”
Maybe this practice is too strange for you. If so, you’re in good company (Obrei agrees). Still, I encourage you this weekend, to try to listen to God. What’s one simple, strange thing you could try to grow closer to Jesus?
See you Sunday!
Pastor Luke