9 March 2006

Walter Brueggemann is turning to Paul to bring to life the notion of 'othering' within the life of the community of faith in "The Covenanted Self."

It is true that "all things are lawful," and that comprehensive freedom must be asserted, insisted upon, and cherished. the dialectic of "othering," however, includes self-abandonment for the neighbor, not needing to be first or best or most advanced or having one's own way, or whatever. And so Paul speaks of "a more excellent way" that he intends for the concrete life of the church. It is a tricky thing to know when in the presence of God to sound self-asserting complaint and when to offer self-yielding praise. Covenanting is to know when to do what. In parallel fashion, with the neighbor it is right to asset one's freedom, and it is right to yield one's freedom for the neighbor. The demanding work of covenanting is to know when to do what, and that requires a thoughtful, disciplined practice of negotiation.

"When to do what." That is really quite an important piece to the whole notion of community and entering into a covenant relationship with others. It is tough enough to know what to do. To have to also know when to do what we are going to do demands that all of us must be in some common union with one another so that the timing can work for the welfare of all. It almost sounds like a dance. To make a good dance number, everyone is quite aware of what to do and to do it when it is appropriate in the context of the work of the whole troupe. Even a basketball team can give us a good example of how to be community. One good player trying to take the ball into the hoop or take every shot from the outside misses the benefit of the others who play within their range and at times will be the only good shot on the court. Pass it around...assert when necessary...yield when necessary, and the team will do quite good. And if they don't, they at least come away feeling and knowing that they are a team and they created something not many groups are able to build - a covenant of sorts.

Connection: Give and take...and see what it does to everyone around you. Give and take and do so with a sense of respect and honor and see what it creates within the groups you encounter today.

Lord God, help us to reach beyond ourselves to receive from you the gifts you give to us and to others. And then, help us to hand off our gifts to those around us so that we will all benefit from the way you graciously gift your people. Amen.