In Christ’s Name We Play

Ahhh, summer. The hot, sunny days bring to mind fond memories of eating watermelon by the pool, playing in the sand at the beach, and jumping in the refreshing Frio River. But, alas, memories they remain. Because now my summer days are mostly spent sitting in an overly air conditioned office answering emails on a slow, outdated desktop computer. Summer has a way of bringing out the child in us, the one who wants to play and get sweaty and spend all day outside.  Yet, in the daily grind of work and responsibility, that fun-loving, adventurous child is often consigned to the world of fluorescent lighting and swivel chairs.
But does it have to be so?  We all have responsibilities we must tend to, but are there ways we can let that summer-loving child delightfully disrupt our daily routines and make a little mischief?
I was just ordained a priest a few months ago, so celebrating the Eucharist is still pretty new for me. Given that I am prone to taking myself too seriously anyway, you can imagine that I approached this task with a grim sense of importance. One of my first Sundays celebrating, I was nervous as I approached the altar to wash my hands before presiding. The acolyte was one of my youth group members, a 12-year old young lady named Marjorie. Marjorie, being the responsible and dutiful acolyte she is, solemnly held the lavabo bowl and poured the water over my hands. In an instant, acting on a wild impulse, I flicked my wrist and sent water flying into young Marjorie’s unsuspecting face. She looked up at me with a mixture of shock and indignation, and then we both burst out laughing. We giggled through the rest of the offertory anthem, and when I took my place at the altar I was still trying to suppress a smile. The moment had shaken off my nerves and I said the Eucharistic prayer with a new energy.
A prayer attributed to St. Teresa of Avila says, “from sour-faced saints, good Lord, deliver us.” This prayer is on to something. As disciples of Christ, we are called to the serious work of helping to bring about the Kingdom of God on earth. But, often, the in-breaking of the Kingdom of God does not look composed, orderly, and serious. It looks more like a disruption, a hiccup, a surprise that catches us off guard. Moments of playfulness and laughter and spontaneity kick down the fourth wall and remind us that the Kingdom of God is already among us. They remind us that we were created in the image of a God who is playful, creative, even weird – a God who made a giant frolicking sea monster just for the fun of it (Psalm 104:26), a God who gives us even more than we need, a God who wants us to live a life of deep joy. I think that Jesus was talking about moments like these when he said, “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly” (John 10:10).
So how can we embrace this abundant life, whether we are on our dream vacation or sitting in traffic or in the middle of a meeting? How can we mirror the playfulness of God and invite joy and spontaneity into our lives, even in small ways?
 
Alex Easley is a 2015 graduate of Seminary of the Southwest. She currently serves as a curate at Palmer Memorial Episcopal Church in Houston, Texas, with a focus on Pastoral Care and Outreach as well as Youth and Young Adults. She enjoys being outdoors, eating good food, and playing with her dog, Francis.