I have been studying Jesus’s teachings and examples on violence for the past month. Its been very inspiring to be invited into his way of clowning power, shaming those who practice oppressive tactics and demonstrating new ways to rid society of evil. As we learn to practice these teachings, we will have great break through and also fall on our faces as we try. In my head I was changing, adopting new ways to deal with violence and then yesterday I guy ran into me surfing. Then my body and mouth took over with two birds on each hand and a fuck you escaped my mouth. I was horrified, how could I claim to practice following Jesus and have such provocative body and mind reactions? Well I’m human, far from perfect, but I can immediately repent with the same mouth and hands, which I prompt did to my assailant. In that same instant my heart cried out, no, this is not the way! Take down these flags of war and rage, for they will only create more of what I despise. I have violence and compassion stored up with in my heart and it’s a process Jesus invites us into where we learn to lay down our reactions, ego and adopt his teachings and example. I am deeply committed to learning how to follow Jesus and yet I often fail. What a blessing to be invited into this process where we are allowed to ask for forgiveness, and get back up and try to do it in the Spirit over and over again.

 

“Sponges not Swords” By Miguel Morrise

Lay down, lay down low,

You are being prepared to suffer and this will be our greatness.

Let go, let go your expectations,

Things are not as they seem,

Normative reactions and unintentional rhythms will not suffice.

Open; Open your heart to the pain, joy, and the present,

You are ready to begin to feel and be born again.

Begin as a child,

We are ready to walk not only in flesh, but Spirit.

There is life beyond ego,

There is divine purity within your violent heart.

We are the sponges of the creator, prepared to absorb this present moment and be wrung out to dry,

This is our war strategy equipped as sponges,

We are sponges in the hands of Spirit,

Prepared to absorb the violence that we have absorbed and allowed the wringing palms of God to transform our enemy and us.