Manna for the Bride

I have spoken a lot before about vessels for meaning, and how those vessels are so often broken, but through grace we might still aspire to be filled. And yet, I have been thinking heavily on the brokenness of the vessels we have made to try to contain God. For instance, I have often stated that I understand why the Reformation had to happen, but I wish it didn't, because what could have been the hands and feet of God in one single place (excluding the first schism between west and east) became fractured, so that "The Bride" became scattered, too... But I have changed my mind on this last point. Because the Holy Roman Empire was hardly more than a political entity at its core, grasping for control, and doing many, very unchristian things (and it was already far from the only organized church that developed in the world).

This afternoon I had a discussion with a friend about this, where we discussed how in my own background in urban planning, I found it distasteful because it was so profit-driven, often leaning toward creating lowest-common-denominator human habitats. On the surface, it appears to be encouraging "diversity" and "unity" but what it is more often doing is finding whatever way possible to mash together people on a superficial level, and labelling people who don't want that lifestyle as antagonistic. Christian community, however, at its best, unifies the Children of God by giving them a higher purpose that allows for (and benefits from) movement and differences within it. Everyone has different needs, ideas, backgrounds, but in Christ, we have one first love. In him, we are not forced into sameness and silence to keep "peace"... because that is no peace, it is lies.

As much as I love theology, the message is very simple: love God, and love each other as ourselves. The trouble comes when we ask questions like "What does that mean?" either in innocence, or to protect ourselves from discomfort or responsibility. And these are lessons that only exploration can teach us-- not time, or status, or a life of passive waiting for the answers to fall into our laps. 

But I am being harsh... We are all imperfect; scared little animals that so often try to fabricate safety for ourselves, but then choose it over truth. And when we do this, we allow ourselves to be less than we are, and are meant to be. We were fearfully and wonderfully made, not made to crawl for the comfort of ourselves and others, worshiping vessels as idols. This is not love; it is a jail of our own making that can only be broken by accepting at least some measure of discomfort. 

Still... Whatever broken vessel we have for her, the Bride will always be here, waiting for her groom, and someday his love will set her free. And until then, God will provide.