Radically Happy

MIC Check

Today’s Most Important Challenge is…

• Practicing kindness
• Under duress

Immanuel Approach Memo

Continued from Interminable

I am… covered with dew.

I awake
On the side of a mountain
With nothing but my tattoos

One the one hand, I:

“Woke in a cell
Set sail from an isle
Was carried to shore”

On the other, I see I need to:

“Remember Jesus
Tell them He lives”

I see a folded white robe
Spotless
I put it on
To cover my nakedness

I look for shoes
But I find none
To cover my feet

So I went down the mountain alone
No one meeting me

I look for Jesus.

Instead
I see a city
Seemingly under siege

Archers man the walls
The gates closed and barred
The fields a barren wasteland
To deny cover to their foes

Yet I see no enemy
No signs of battle
No threat

I walk forward
The watchmen raise a shout

I cry out to them

“Your God reigns
Jesus lives
Peace has returned!”

They look to my feet.

My feet are clean
Whole
Uncalloussed

Clearly
I have not worn boots
Or marched for miles
Or slept in dirty camps

I realize
My naked vulnerability
Is my greatest strength
The heart of my testimony

My naked vulnerability
Is my greatest strength

They argue.

Musically
A singsong chant
Back and forth

Intense
But not violent
Or hateful

Hungry
Hopeful
Skeptical
Cautious

Finally…
They reach a decision

All sound ceases.

They open the gate
And I enter…

To be continued

Reflection

I feel…

• Sent
• Wonder
• Pity
• Vulnerable
• Invulnerable
• Peaceful

Scripture

“How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!”
Listen! Your watchmen lift up their voices; together they shout for joy. When the Lord returns to Zion, they will see it with their own eyes.
Burst into songs of joy together, you ruins of Jerusalem, for the Lord has comforted his people, he has redeemed Jerusalem.”‭‭

Isaiah‬ ‭52‬:‭7‬-‭9‬ ‭NIV‬‬