I have been blessed in this work to form deep, creative friendships with wonderful colleagues. One of those colleagues is a man that many of you know, Brian McLaren. Brian and I have collaborated on a number of projects over the years, most of which have been focused on creating the greatest amount of good mischief possible within the progressive faith movement. Yesterday, he and I had the chance to talk by phone and get caught up. He has just published a book called Faith After Doubt: When Your Beliefs Stopped Working and What To Do About It, and soon you will be able to hear a recording of the two of us talking about it and other fun schemes.
For today’s meditation, I wanted to share a wonderful benediction Brian offers at the end of his book, one that I think shows the fullness of his artistic talent as both an author and trouble-maker. He writes:
I offer the simple benediction, modeled on the beatitudes, to remind you that your honest doubts are not a curse but, rather a blessing, indeed:
Blessed are the curious, for their curiosity honors reality.
Blessed are the uncertain and those with second thoughts, for their minds are still open.
Blessed are the wonderers, for they shall find what is wonderful.
Blessed are those who question their answers, for their horizons will expand forever.
Blessed are those who often feel foolish, for they are wiser than those who always think themselves wise.
Blessed are those who are scolded, suspected, and labeled as heretics by the gatekeepers,
for the prophets and mystics were treated in the same way by the gatekeepers of their day.
Blessed are those who know their unknowing, for they shall have the last laugh.
Blessed are the perplexed, for they have reached the frontiers of contemplation.
Blessed are they who become cynical about their cynicism and suspicious of their suspicion, for they will enter the second innocence.
Blessed are the doubters, for they shall see through false gods.
Blessed are the lovers, for they shall see God everywhere.
May you go through your day celebrating the ways you are blessed for good mischief. I can’t wait to see the way we might remake the world.
We are in this together,
Cameron