FEBRUARY | TPC ASF Playlist

"Naked Spirituality – A Life with God in 12 Simple Words"

Here – Naming the Mystery

Throughout 2019 our Playlists will explore a word from Brian McLaren’s book “Naked Spirituality.” For a deeper dive into Brian’s book, you can purchase it at Amazon and wherever books are sold. Last month’s Playlist explored the word “Here.” This month we’ll continue exploring “Here” but take it a step further. Brian calls this “Naming the Mystery.”

Brian begins with the story of Moses and the burning bush from Exodus 3. If you’d like a 5-minute refresher on the story, click to watch the scene from the animated movie The Prince of Egypt.

Try to put yourself in the story of Moses and the bush. How would you have responded?

From this story, Brian suggests that when we approach God, we begin not as knowers but as the known. The conversation begins not with Moses invoking God’s name, but with God invoking Moses’s name. The story also tells us that when we invoke God’s name, we are not waking God up and getting God’s attention. We are being awakened and responding to the one who was already here, but we didn’t realize it.

If you had to name one thing or experience in your life that has been most like a burning bush for you, what would it be? Have you ever had an experience that felt like you were walking on holy ground?

In their conversation, God answers Moses by saying “I AM WHO I AM.” Brian says, “Perhaps it means, ‘I will be whoever I will be, Moses, so get used to the fact that you can’t wrestle my identity down.’ Perhaps it means, ‘I am the essence of being itself.’ Perhaps it means, “None of your business! Who do you think you are to try and nail down my identity in a single word that your brain can manipulate? I am who I am, and that’s as much as you’ll be able to grasp.’”

Do any of those three resonate with you? And why?

Brian notes the range of images and metaphors that God is addressed throughout the scriptures (king, shepherd, rock, friend, father, mother, potter, wind, breath, vine, farmer), the dozens of adjectives that are used to name God (holy, faithful, almighty, everlasting, loving, eternal) and the words or images that describe what God does (healer, provider, justice and creator).

He encourages a wide array of names and images for God so we do not get stuck in a rut in referring to God.

Which of the above names, images and metaphors of God resonate with you? What should be added to that list?

Brian shares his own prayer practice of awakening to the God that is here:

O God, you are my light….You are my Shepherd…You are my Friend…You are the Creator…You are the Shaper of Beauty…

Spiritual Practice for the Month

Last month we were encouraged to practice this prayer everyday: Here I am, Lord. Here you are, Lord. Here we are together.

This month after offering the here prayer, move next to who: Who are you? Who am I? Who are we together? Let the questions give you permission to name and expand your understanding and experience of God.

Let’s end with a short video called “We Bow Before the One.” May it be a prayer, a benediction or a blessing for you in your journey with God.