Got a call from a buddy right before my trip who in essence said, “Pete why are you going to India right now? You need to be promoting Book #1
He’s got a great heart but I think there was a part of him that felt as if I was almost being a little irresponsible. Almost as if I were clowning around when more important things needed to be tended to. None of his concerns were new to me. I had selfishly thought every one of those things myself.
We tend to put things in categories:
Things that are important. Things that aren’t.
People who matter. People who don’t.
Henri Nouwen explains in Clowning in Rome
Clowns are not in the center of the events. They appear between the great acts, fumble and fall, and make us smile again after the tensions created by the heroes we came to admire. The clown don’t have it together, they do not succeed in what they try to do , they are awkward, out of balance, and left handed, but…they are on our side. We respond to them not with admiration but with sympathy, not with amazement but with understanding, not with tension but with a smile.
The church today is full of lion tamers and trapeze artists whose dazzling feats claim our attention and elicit our applause and yet what the Kingdom so desperately needs is more clowns.
In a way this is what Jesus was talking about in Matthew 20: 16“So the last will be first, and the first will be last.” In other words the way up is down.
In God’s Kingdom it’s not the ring leader or the trapeze artist who grabs the spotlight but it’s the clown who simply prays, God may I evoke a smile and awaken hope today, even in a city terrorized by violence, poverty and despair.
I’ve never spent way too much of my life trying to get to the center of the ring. Time to head in a different direction. Time to be a clown!
Pete, no matter what is going on, will continue to pray for you. The info you are sending back is continually wrecking me. Each of these kids have stolen a piece of my heart, and I love the WHOLE Kingdom-mindedness of your visit there. Hoping and praying that the results will be eye-opening for those living in the complacency of the American church.
.-= Sean Sims´s last blog ..A little interruption to the resolutions… =-.
Thanks Sean.
what a great illustration! hoping God is able to do all He wants through you…
Fantastic post Pete! I may have to get that book if you continue “pushing” the issue with it.
praying your trip is going well.
.-= Bill (cycleguy)´s last blog ..A Tough Place to Be =-.
What an inside-out change of focus! Thanks Pete, and you all, the children, the people there, are in our prayers.
Since I have an intense fear of clowns, I simply replaced “clown” with “juggler” and then I really liked your analogy. Care more about what God thinks of you instead of people, and you’ll be just fine.
.-= katdish´s last blog ..Fishing for Answers (by Billy Coffey) =-.
Pete that is some awesome stuff. This is the second blog that I have read after I posted mine this morning that deals with where we are and where we should be. Wow! I have been totally messed up in a good way today.
.-= Michael´s last blog ..Perception =-.
I am so glad you are where you are instead of here tending to business. There is no greater business and higher calling than to serve the under resourced, the poor, the orphans, the widows. God will see to it that the business of your books, your church, and your community will thrive in Him while you are being obedient to His calling on your heart. I appreciate you for being an example and stepping out in faith. I’m praying for you, Ryan and Jenni (and for my future trip with CP to India).
Leave it to Nouwin to rock your world.
Love his stuff.
Usually the clown stuff seems foolish.
I would definitely fall into that trap of what you are doing, I got a book church and teaching series I am working on, I am a big deal and do not have time to help others right now. It seems that I myself can get more caught up in the seriousness of the main act then the foolishness of being a clown. It seems that God has called us to be clowns and not the main entertainment.
Well said! I needed this reminder today. So thankful you’re clowning around. Now, gotta go – time for me to go be a clown. Ohh ahh, don’t worry, I’ll be sure to get some work done today
.-= Eve Annunziato´s last blog ..WHO ARE YOUR VIPs? =-.
Melissa Irwin pretty well said what I’d planned to. What we think is most important (books, new buildings, etc) isn’t what Jesus thought was top priority. Yes, we need balance – but so often the buildings, books, etc are by far the weightiest in our human scales. “The least of these my brothers” just get pushed out. You’re working to love them and pull them in. I firmly believe that’s what Jesus wants us to do. God bless you.
Something to think about today!
.-= Becky´s last blog ..If I didn’t laugh I would be crying… =-.
I cannot stress enough that what you are doing right now, and how you are going to challenge us when you get back, is the most important work you could be doing.
Instead of fools for Christ-I guess it’s clowns for Christ %^p
Henri Nouwen has that ability to just rock your world doesn’t he? Be a clown, as long as the Lord has His input in the matter.
.-= Sarah´s last blog ..Calling In The Cavalry =-.
He’s done it again and again to me!
I never thought I’d say this, Pete. But I want to be a clown!!!!!!
.-= Lauren Kelly´s last blog ..Weekend recap! =-.
Reminds me of “God chose the things the world considers foolish in order to shame the wise”. I say be a clown for Christ!
.-= Jim F.´s last blog ..Undercover =-.
I couldn’t agree more with Melissa Irwin…well said!! Pete, if God didn’t want you to go to India, your visa and passport would still be in Washington!
Have a safe trip home.
I love Henri Nouwen. He’s in my “Top 14 Books That Changed My LIfe” blog post today.
His books have been a cornerstone of keeping my heart in the right place in ministry — honest and real.
Clowning Rome in Rome is an awesome read! So happy to see it here on Without Wax.
Great encouragement to see you living out the truth of what you’re reading. Not just scooping it in and letting it sit in ya’!
.-= Faith Barista | Bonnie´s last blog ..Are You a Book Lover? 14 Books That Changed My Life =-.
sounds like you need better buddies to me, Pete!
You will never forget this trip and it will continue to shape your heart for what your life and Cross Point are all about! Keep on clowning around for His glory!
.-= Nolan Bobbitt´s last blog ..100 Words: The Perfect Church Service =-.
Gosh, I agree with Pete A and Melody Quinn for agreeing with Melissa Irwin.
.-= melissa irwin´s last blog ..A Cold-Turkey Conviction =-.
And I agree with you for agreeing with them agreeing with you.
Awesome post, Pete!
Although the Scriptures don’t record it, I have always thought that Christ must have enjoyed a great laugh, and a good joke. Jesus never worried about how things looked, but about how things are!
Again, Awesome post!
.-= Buddy Knight´s last blog ..SEX: What Was God THINKING???!!!Part V – Sex & The Gospels: Marriage =-.
beautifully said, babe! love you and i’m so proud of you!!!
.-= brandiandboys´s last blog ..Poison or Fruit?? =-.
Couldn’t do it without your support baby!
wow. sounds like a good read. great illustration BTW. u know, nobody but u knows what God is telling you to do. Sounds like God is telling u to do alot right now which is awesome
.-= jackalopekid´s last blog ..follow =-.
Thanks for sharing! God’s timing is perfect!
Clowns usually creep me out but you’ve definitely put a new spin on them. Thanks.
.-= Bill Foote´s last blog ..How the Gospel Rescued Richard =-.
I was once told “Volunteers do so because they have extra time on their hands. Those that Serve do so because of their obedience.”