I attended Practical Bible Training School. I don't think I ever figured out the practical part. And of course for fun, it at times it was called the Impractical Bible Training School. Either one was good for me. I also worked as an LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse) and often referred to myself as an LIP. But I got it. In that being something practical might be as far as I would get in life. And it pretty much turned out that way. Mainly because I really didn't fit into any place that well. So when I came to mysticism, I never thought I'd be seen any other way. But it doesn't matter anymore. Because the only thing that really matters is how honestly I see myself.
Here are some practical things that I really like or am too lazy to challenge or change.
1. I don't need to know 2 or 3 other languages to get what the Bible really says to me. Besides, those who do don't exactly agree. I'd rather pick what makes some kind of sense or that which leaves me in awe. Life is much too short to worry about anything that doesn't fit into the golden rule.
2. I have Sundays off now. I never miss an early football game or NASCAR race. I can also make my own hymn selections from iTunes, skip taking up the offering, forego the morning sermon and go straight to the coffee hour. However, I do miss The Eucharist.
3. I don't have to say as many Hail Mary's and Our Father's. Apparently, BVM and our father in heaven can hear me the first time. But a few extras don't hurt.
4. I try to maintain a big picture of life and not get bogged down with what is wrong in and out of church. The complete picture includes all the goodness and wonder of creation and my being a creature in it. And sometimes, just being in the presence of that awareness lifts me to amazing heights.
5. My only daily spiritual practice is gratefulness. But if you could hear me swear when my oxygen tube gets caught on something, you would think otherwise. I'm still thankful that there are so many opportunities to appreciate the simple things and to be able to give thanks for all of the abundance in an ordinary day.
6. I can let Jesus be Jesus. I don't have to make him after my own likes and dislikes. It's okay if he doesn't like Neo-Impressionism as much as I do. WWJD? is often asked. I don't have to answer the question. I know that's being rather lazy. But for me, it's better than being so absolute about which political party he would join.
7. I don't have to convince anyone else of the error of their way or the rightness of mine. I believe that differences will work themselves out, even the ones that seem immoveable. Of course, there's always the chance that new differences will arise.
8. One of the best things is having no food restrictions. I just love pork and other evil delights. I can think of some foods that "ought" to be banned though. But under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act I only have to eat them at same sex weddings. In addition, there's no mandatory fasting, even though once and a while wouldn't hurt.
9. I can laugh. You might say, "Well, of course you can." But so many know laughing about the sacred is looked down on, sternly dealt with or even punished. I can laugh or make light because so many claims of understanding the divine are rather imperfect. Laughing shows us how far we have fallen short.
10. Couldn't think of a 10th one, so 9 it is.
I believe, and you certainly don't have to, we all are on these amazing spiritual journeys that can differ in almost every way but are headed toward the same goal. This can put you in unexpected places, at unexpected times, with unexpected people. Some don't have to go very far to accomplish the goal or complete the journey; others will have traveled great distances in order to do the same thing. I would only say that the externals of the journey don't equal the internals. You cannot tell where a person is at by appearance or presupposition. ...As practical or as impractical as that may seem.
