Encountering God. It’s what many of us long for – not necessarily in the way that knocks us down, but definitely longing for one that helps clarify, put things together and makes connections for us. This Sunday’s text is about just such an encounter between the woman at the well who gives a drink to a thirsty Jesus, left there in the absence of his disciples. [John 4:5-42]
One of the first encounters between God and humankind takes place in Genesis, the story of how things began and why life is as it is. After disobeying God, eating of the fruit of the tree that was forbidden to them, Adam and Eve – the first humans, prototypes of the life we all face in existence, encounter God.
It’s recounted in Genesis 3 [LINK to text]
Deep in their shame, paralyzed by fear, they hear God approaching and despair. God sees them how they really are, when all is peeled away. They cannot hide the bad, or the good, that they’ve done or been, from the Divine eyes. Curiously we often do the same. We’re overcome by who and how we are when we glimpse, grasp or are inundated with the Divine Presence. Wether in a calm that is deafening, a glimpse of God in nature that transfixes us, or the immensity of pivotal life moments – we can most grasp how small we are when contrasted with how big life is and how beyond us God is. It’s an experience that deconstructs us, reminds us of what really is. It’s not a negative experience, a condemnation or punishment, so much as an eye-opening illumination of who and how we are and who and how we might want to be.
Adam & Eve, by Marc Chagal 1912
I like these two representations of this encounter. One is simple, from a comic of the Bible stressing shame and fear. The other is by Marc Chagall (1912), using cubism and deconstruction to express the paradox and wonder of such encounters with God. Obviously I prefer the second and its depth of re-presentation of this story of Adam and Even and us as well – when we’re overwhelmed by the Holy One.
In this season of Lent, when our practices are intended to increase our wonder of God, and open us to that wonder, how are you longing to experience God in order to better see yourself – for good or for hard – in your own life?
A prayer for the day
Almighty God,
You are too much of us.
You break out of our dogmas and churches, and move through this creation in exultant joy.
You disturb us; you waken us, and now, we are restlessly aware of you.
And yet your love reassures us.
You have opened our eyes wide in wonder, but we learn that we are you children, and may tiptoe through this wondrous life in trust.