Radically Happy

I am at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco.
There is a music festival at the end of a summer public day camp.
One of the (secular) bands is making everyone sing: Glory to God.
Probably ironically.
But still.

I see one of the other counselors.
She might be a young Queen Latifah.
I met her earlier in the day.
I’m pretty sure she is a Christian.
We look at each other.
“Pretty wild, right?”

---

Roughly six months later, I am back at the park.
The same venue is hosting an Avenger’s Christmas Musical Extravaganza.

There are two sides to the stage.
The back side is mostly empty now.
Santa and his elves have gone home.
Or maybe helping with the big finale in front.

The Avengers and Friends are taking turns ziplining down to the stage.
Wearing yellow safety vests over their costumes for some reason.
Maybe Santa will join them at the end.

A lot of people are already leaving.
Especially the people at the back stage.
Families with small kids, etc.
Perhaps to avoid the rush.

I see a guy I once knew.
Short, wiry guy.
Feel like he should be named Hector.
He seems to be taking down his tent.
Many people apparently camped out beforehand.

I don’t remember why I knew him.
Possibly from my college days.
He mentions that we did a Romans manuscript study together.

This piques my interest.
I tell him I’ve spent the last two years developing a reflective alternative to manuscript study.
Where the focus is on letting Scripture soak in.
Rather than just think about it.

I am probably being annoying.
He looks like he is in a hurry to get home.

I explain that whole point is to get people closer to Jesus.
He doesn’t seem impressed.
I hurriedly point out that this isn’t just about feeling closer to Jesus.
The goal is to also intellectually think more like Jesus.
And physically act more like Jesus.

That gets his attention.

Then I wake up.