I like to imagine what Jesus’ band of disciples would look like if he were walking around the United States these days. Pretty sure it would be eye popping.

Let’s start with the obvious. Of course, every race and various mixes of every race would be in the Jesus circle.

Now, lets go wider. Every gender identity would have a seat in the circle as well. The truck driver with a million safe miles behind him would be there, proudly wearing his red, MAGA cap. Sitting next to him, not really happy about it, would be the university professor, her heart still stinging from Hillary’s loss. There would be a police officer, a day trader, a CFO, and a non documented laborer. And, likely someone attached to each of the letters in the LGBTQ community. Plus, a hearty helping of so called, regular folks. The folks you see at Walmart.

There would be some religious leaders as well, but they wouldn’t actually be in the circle. They’d be observing from the outside, unwilling to go all in, due their tightly held beliefs.

If that’s not eye popping enough for you, make your own list. Just make sure you have someone representing everything from zealots, to tax collectors, to fishermen, to women of means, to folks just beyond the fringe of social acceptability. And, remember where the religious leaders were seated. Certainly eye popping in first century Palestine.

Somehow Jesus kept such a diverse group on the same page. Except, of course, when they were arguing, or trying to be Jesus’ favorite, or disappearing when things got dicey. But mostly, pretty much on the same page.

I truly wonder what got them to sit at the same table, and almost play nice.

I guess continually hearing Jesus say that the call is to become like a little child, and seek to be the servant in the group helped. Not to mention, do unto others as you’d have them do to you, love your neighbor as a part of yourself, and take up your cross and follow.

Mostly though, I think it came from deep inside. I think on some level they got that, beyond politics, theology, and lifestyle; the foundation of each one’s identity is, beloved child of God. Each one. Everyone. Jesus certainly spoke words that affirmed this. Words of life.

Perhaps if we got that, we wouldn’t be so in your face with one-another with our caps, badges, and favorite issues.

Now, here’s the thing. My exercise of imagination really wasn’t that hard. I have met, and celebrated at the Lord’s table with all the folks mentioned in paragraphs two and three. I celebrate that. Each one has a gift for me. I need each one in my life. We are all God’s child.

The Spirit is moving throughout the world today. The call is to come and follow. There is a seat at the table with my name on it, and there are seats at the table with the names of the folks in paragraphs two and three on them. Friend, there’s a seat with your name on it. We’re all on the invitation list. We just need to remember that none of us are bouncers.

May God help us come as little children, seeking to be the one who serves, and always remembering who it is that offers the Word of Life.

Today’s word: creativity.

I recently heard Brian McLaren say that creativity is where the Spirit is moving these days. Art, prose, poetry, architecture, landscape design, music… his list went on. These are the things that will help humanity will see a path beyond division and selfishness. It’s the artists; those who touch us deeply, the ones who shove us toward empathy, and make us want to do a little better, who speak Spirit.

I’ll admit that when I heard that, I thought, “Well, I guess I’m officially on the sidelines now. I am certainly not creative.”

It felt like middle school and my friends were wondering who I was going ask to the Spring dance. Nobody. I can not dance. And, I do not for a minute believe no one will be watching. Even if no one else is, my partner will certainly be watching, and wondering if I actually thought I was dancing. Nope. Just like the middle school dance, I guess I’ll sit this movement of the Spirit out.

Then, I took a breath, and asked middle school me to please be quiet for a second. “Dude, that was a long time ago.”

I actually have been known to dance a little bit. Sometimes, the music moves, literally moves me. Why, not long ago, I was was dancing with my sweetie of fifty years on a beach in Hawaii, and I didn’t care who was watching.

And, sometimes I experience creativity. It comes from deep inside, or maybe from someplace outside, it’s hard to tell which, but it comes.

I ponder a little, play a little, imagine a little, and there it is: a story, an insight, a vision for that bush in the garden, an awesome Dad joke, a photo of a lizard on a rock, a whispered prayer of gratitude. Or maybe it’s simply figuring out how to encourage and support an unknown artist that is in a creativity league most of us will never visit. I’m a part. Look at me doing creativity.

Of course my work isn’t award winning or show stopping. In fact, sometimes even my best Dad jokes are simply ignored. That’s cool. It still has a life. Is qualifies. It’s creativity.

Creativity. Where the Spirit moves. It’s where we connect to one another, and remember who we are, who we all are. We somehow partner with the Creator. It comes for within and from out side of us. It feeds that spark that makes us truly human.

I think McLaren is on to something.