On we go with this walk through some material dealing with Spirit-Led Imagination from "Mandate to Difference by Walter Brueggemann.
Having said that worship features our humanly constructed acts of imagination designed to advocate a perspective, we inescapably must ask if it is all "made up," for the term "imagination" is a tricky one. But of course in the community of faith, to "imagine" does not mean to "make up." It means, rather, to receive, entertain, and host images of reality that are outside the accepted given. If, however, we say "receive" images, then we may ask, "receive from whome?" Or "receive for whom?" The answer we give is that what the Psalmists and liturgists imagine and shape and offer is given by God's spirit, for it is the spirit who bears witness.
Walter Brueggemann is able to give expression to that which I am so unable to express. I treasure this imagination that is able to shake me and cause me to look again at what has always been just the way it has been. This imagination - spirit led - is the beginning of the way that takes people out of Egypt and then out of Babylon and then throught the empty tomb to life again and more full then ever. I really do think that our worship is the place for that to happen. I also trust that it is as we give ourselves away to the singing of the hymns and and the read word and the prayers and the sermon, we are given many images from which we are able to construct, or at least view - that which can be...and, quite possibly, must be. When we enter into the monthly liturgy that features the Rite of Healing during the distribution of Holy Communion, the room is whipped up in a sense of peace and patience and love that gives room to a reality that is not out in the everyday world in which we live. We are all invited to reside there. It may be in private prayer. It may be in song. It may be as one who asks for prayer or one who prays for others. It also may be in that spontaneous moment when we sit back down and then are moved to go to a prayer station and let someone take us under her/his hands and pray. Imagine all that...in worship...in the week that follows. Nothing is made up. It is as real as letting go and holding on and not being afraid to do either and to do both at the same time. The expecation of a community of imagination is that something new will take place - and we cannot control it.
Connection: Receiving isn't always an easy thing to do. Often we have no control over what is being handed to us. Well, it may be good for us to imagine that God brings into our lives so much that all we can do is receive and let the control we often want to maintain...be loosened.
Lord of a New Reign and New Life, we need this Spirit of Life to take hold of us and guide us to life we do not yet see and have among us. Help us to imagine what it within your grasp and what you long to share with us as we follow you. Amen.
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