Small Talk – May 18 2020 by Michael Small It Has Been 50 Days Since

Small Talk – May 18 2020 By Michael Small It has been 50 days since Minnesotans’ were required to shelter-in-place. That is just short of two months. Those orders have been lifted as of today. Has it made a difference? Early on we were receiving “A” grades, but recently we have been at “C- - D+” in our physical distancing and shelter-in-place. We have grown impatient and careless. In the long run, looking over these past 50 days, history will, I think, say that we saved lives, but we could have saved more. For the vulnerable of us, let us stay the course, isolate, and distance ourselves from others for the days and weeks to come. Yesterday I had the opportunity to watch “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle” (2017). It is far different than the first Jumanji movie with Robin Williams. All the characters play the game as avatar’s in a “video game”. One of the characters, Spencer, is a high school junior, smart, nerdy, a geek, awkward and not terribly athletic. The avatar Spencer lives in is, Dr. Smolder Bravestone, a tightly muscle-bound, athletic giant of a man, played by Wayne Douglas, also known as The Rock. Spencer struggles with this new body of his, for he is still Spencer. At one point a much smaller avatar Franklin Finbar, played by Kevin Hart, they get into an altercation. The body possessing the avatar “Finbar” is “Fridge”, a huge high school football player. In the fight, Finbar soundly beats up on Bravestone – until Bravestone becomes who he is created to be, Dr. Smolder Bravestone, hero, stronger than iron, brilliant strategist, and natural born leader on whom others can rely. He is an immovable rock. As we move through life, we live with many faces, many different personalities. I am a son, husband, father, friend, avid reader, writer, preacher, radio personality and I used to be a soccer referee. I used to say, as a referee, it was the only place in my life where I had true authority – I could be right or wrong, and we still played the game, we moved on, knowing that we are all flawed. At one point, Jesus turns to his disciples, and asks, “Who do you say that I am?” What if the tables were turned on us? What if I turned to you and asked, “Who do people say that I am? Who do you say that I am?” It depends on the day, the moment, and the context. Who we are is fluid, but ultimately, we are called to be who we were and are created to be – grow into the fullness of you? Some helpful guides along the way are listed below. Don Miguel published the Four Agreements. [The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom (A Toltec Wisdom Book)] They are: 1. Be Impeccable With Your Word – Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love. 2. Don’t Make Assumptions – Find the courage to ask questions and express what you really want. Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness, and dramas. With this one agreement, you can completely transform your life. 3. Don’t Take Anything Personally – Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won’t be the victim of needless suffering. 4. Always Do Your Best – Your best is going to change from moment to moment: It will be different when you are healthy opposed to sick. Under any circumstance, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgment, self-abuse, and regret. Be your best! In the ways, spirit and agape love of Jesus, Michael To Donate And watch 10:00 am Sunday worship services at any time Go to www.uccwalker.com Find back issues of “Small Talk” .

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