Radically Happy

Picture this: a frustrated wanderer on a donkey, yelling at his own brain, surrounded by lawless mercenaries. It feels more like Shrek or some wild fable than a spiritual reflection. Yet this is the imaginative entry point into the Angel Approach Memos—specifically, the Jackass series.

The narrator repeatedly names himself a jackass. Far from self-loathing, this radical honesty becomes the starting point for uncovering the blockers that keep us from loving the way Christ loved .

Jackassery: The Surprising Power of Honest Whining – Today We Choose Faces

Ever felt like a total jackass—frustrated with yourself, misunderstood, maybe even yelling at your own thoughts? In this episode, we dive into the raw and absurdly honest Angel Approach “Jackassery” memos—a surreal journey featuring talking donkeys, mercenaries, and even a brain that argues back.What begins as a wandering rider’s rant turns into a profound exploration of why we blame, resist, and self-sabotage—and how those very flaws might be the doorway to transformation. Along the way, we uncover blockers that keep us from loving like Christ, wrestle with the ugly truths we avoid, and discover why our messy brokenness may actually be the key to redemption.Part whimsical fable, part spiritual deep dive, this conversation will leave you laughing, unsettled, and—just maybe—seeing your own “jackassery” as the surprising place where God meets you.Across the memos, the narrator identifies twelve key “blockers” that prevent Christ-like love:Self-reliance and blame – Deflecting responsibility onto the donkey, others, or even God .Blindness to self-deception – Our broken minds actively lie to us, leading us in circles .Idolatry of self-preservation – Prioritizing safety above God’s call, turning survival into an idol .Lack of empathy for internal struggles – Failure to show compassion toward our own inner brokenness .Self-perceived incompetence – Believing oneself too flawed or inadequate to lead or love .Misplaced value – Overvaluing intellect, strategy, or strength above heart and compassion .Fear of the ugly truth – Avoiding hard realities out of cynicism or fear of discomfort .Mistrust of the divine process – Holding back from surrender because we fear God’s path .Holding back our hearts – Believing love means protecting the heart, instead of giving it away .Fear of seeing God and ourselves – Hiding from exposure, judgment, and divine truth .Resentment and self-pity – Even in grace, clinging to “why me?” or “it should’ve been easier” .Narrow view of mission – Expecting only one form of reward or role, missing the wider calling .

The climax comes when the narrator finally encounters Jesus Himself.

Instead of rebuke, Jesus embraces him—weeping like a long-lost friend. The struggle, Jesus explains, wasn’t punishment but preparation. The narrator’s very jackassery was the bridge that let others—the mercenaries, now transformed into “gracious emissaries”—find God .

Reflection

What began with a man yelling at a donkey ends with a profound invitation:

• Your flaws are not disqualifiers.
• Your honesty is the pathway.
• Your jackassery is the raw material God redeems into connection and mission.

Perhaps the most Christ-like act is not to hide our foolishness, but to embrace it, offering it to God as the very ground of transformation .

What about you?

• Where does your own jackassery show up?
• Which of these blockers do you wrestle with most?
• Could the very thing you’re ashamed of be the bridge God uses to connect you with others—and with Him?

Maybe, just maybe, embracing our inner jackass is how we finally learn to love like Christ.

The 12 Blockers to Christ-like Love

As the journey unfolds—through donkeys, angels, mercenaries, brains, and hearts—twelve “blockers” emerge. These aren’t abstract doctrines but painfully real obstacles most of us face.

Blocker 1: Self-Reliance and Blame

When things stall, the instinct is to lash out—at others, at circumstances, even at God. But blame short-circuits love .

Blocker 2: Blindness to Self-Deception

Our minds can lie to us, leading us in circles while we think we’re making progress .

Blocker 3: Idolatry of Self-Preservation

When survival becomes our ultimate goal, safety itself becomes a false god .

Blocker 4: Lack of Empathy for Internal Struggles

We condemn our flaws instead of showing grace to the broken parts within ourselves .

Blocker 5: Self-Perceived Incompetence

We disqualify ourselves from leadership or service, believing our flaws make us useless .

Blocker 6: Misplaced Value

We prize brains, logic, and strategy, forgetting that true leadership flows from the heart .

Blocker 7: Fear of the Ugly Truth

We shy away from uncomfortable realities, thinking honesty will only harm .

Blocker 8: Mistrust of the Divine Process

We hold back from surrender, suspecting God’s ways will trick us or cost too much .

Blocker 9: Holding Back Our Hearts

We hoard our love, thinking protection means safety, when true life comes only by giving it away .

Blocker 10: Fear of Seeing God and Ourselves

We avoid exposure, terrified of judgment, refusing to be fully seen .

Blocker 11: Resentment and Self-Pity

Even after grace, we nurse bitterness: Why me? Why this way? .

Blocker 12: Narrow View of Mission

We cling to one vision of success or blessing, missing the wider calling God entrusts us with .