Crazy Time In The Ordinary



There are times in my everyday experience that invite me into crazy time. They’re really no big deal, but the invitation is there nonetheless and the choice is there nonetheless. I’m trying to learn to say “yes” whenever the invitation comes, so that maybe there will come a time when I’ll say “yes” to what seems like a very defining moment. Of course, the defining moment is actually all the little moments I say yes to crazy time.

Miriam and I have started to jog on a regular basis. I don’t like jogging, but I need to be in better physical shape. As I jog I remember what Rohr says about limenal experiences. Go there as often as you can and stay there as long as you can. So I go jogging as often as I can, which is almost daily these days. And I stay there as long as I can. We’re slowly jogging further and further, shooting for jogging in fun run that is three miles long. I must admit that the feeling when I’m done jogging is euphoric.

This past week I went with a group of friends to a camp to do volunteer work. We were painting a large building on the campus of the camp. At one point my work crew needed someone to go up about thirty feet to paint under the eaves. Go there as often as you can and stay there as long as you can. So up I went. It’s not that I’m scared of high places. I’m afraid of falling. But after I had been at it for an hour or so, I actually started getting used to it and felt really good about the work I got done.

Two pretty insignificant experiences that were invitations into crazy time. In both situations there was a deep sense of satisfaction in what was accomplished.

The other day in church we were told about a young lady a year or so out of high school who has been spending a year in India working with girls who are in or susceptible to the prostitution industry. She got very sick with malaria and typhoid, so she has come home early. We were asked to pray for her health, her safe return to the States, but also for her to be able to cope with the sadness of leaving India early and the pain of saying good-bye to the girls with whom she has become very close. Before I was really aware of what was going through my mind, I caught myself thinking, “My God, this young lady has lived more in one year than I have lived my entire life. Interesting thought. A life time of avoiding crazy time.

Today, Jesus, help me to recognize and say “yes” to your invitations to crazy time.