September 8, 2022 – Ecclesiastes 3:1, The Funny Shape of Faith

“For everything there is a season.” Ecclesiastes 3:1

“Which bothers God more: the little boy playing with his bulletin or the lady frowning and crabbing at him? Some folks think that “Don’t run in God’s house” and “Sit still” should be carved in stone at the tail end of the Commandments. We wouldn’t do well to simply ignore those who desire silence in, and the absence of footprints on the ceiling of, the sanctuary. But then, we wouldn’t do well to ignore Jesus, who scolded the scolders and then lifted some runny-nosed kids to his knee, saying that they were the standard for true faith. Sometimes worship means being silent. But don’t forget, we are worshiping the God who created the duck-billed platypus. Sometimes worship means having silly fun.” (Laurie Hanson. The Funny Shape of Faith: Devotions for the Rest of Us (pp. 91-92). Kindle Edition.)

Which is Worse: A Platitude or a Platypus?

We have all heard the trite sayings, the platitudes that bombard us every day. We lose a close friend to cancer, and someone will say “Time is a great healer”, or “G-d needed another angel.” It is human nature to want to say something when a friend has experienced a loss, or is having a bad week, but the platitudes are not always as comforting as we believe. In fact sometimes it is better to say nothing at all than to blurt out another trite saying.

When I look at the Platypus, I realize that things do not always seem to fit together – and will not always make sense. As such I am reminded that every action someone does to me does not require an immediate reaction, just like every situation does not mean I have to respond with words or actions. Sometimes the best thing we can do with our friends is just be present with them while they are struggling. After all, the Platypus doesn’t really do much, and too often we are trying too hard in all the wrong ways. And which would you rather have after all, a platitude that means nothing, or a Platypus that defies explanation? If G-d has a purpose for the Platypus, certainly G-d will find a purpose for us – as long as we stay quiet enough to heard G-d’s instruction.

Let us pray,

Lord of the duck-billed Platypus, thank you for always thinking out of the box and creating in so many surprising ways. Keep surprising us every day.  Amen.

Pastor Dave