July 20 - Raggamuffins

Raggamuffins

“Come unto me all you (ragamuffins) who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”  (Matthew 11:28) 

Have you ever felt beat up, bruise up, or battered by the storms of life?  All of us, at one time or another, can identify with the disciples being tossed around in their tiny boat (Mark 5:35-41)…or the innocent man from Jerusalem who was ambushed by robbers and in need of a local Samaritan’s assistance (Luke 10:25-37)…or even the women at the well, due to circumstances and her own choices, felt her wick was all but extinguished (John 4:1-26).  If you can empathize with these…Congratulations, you are a ragamuffin:

Brennan Manning, in the Ragamuffin Gospel writes:

“The ragamuffin gospel IS NOT for the super-spiritual…

IT IS NOT for the academicians who would imprison Jesus in the ivory tower of exegesis

IT IS NOT for noisy, feel-good folks who manipulate Christianity into a naked appeal of emotion

IT IS NOT for Alleluia Christians who live only on the mountaintop and have never visited the valley of desolation.

IT IS NOT for the fearless and tearless

IT IS NOT for red-hot zealots who boat with the rich young ruler of the gospels.  All these commandments I have kept from my youth.

IT IS NOT for the complacent, hoisting over their shoulder a tote-bag of honors, diplomats, and good works actually believing they have made it

IT IS NOT for legalists who would rather surrender control of their souls to rules than run the risk of living in union with Jesus.

If anyone is still reading…

IT IS for the sorely burdened who are still shifting the heavy suitcase from one hand to the other.

IT IS for the wobbly and weak-kneed who know they don’t have it altogether and are not too proud to accept the handout of amazing grace.

IT IS for the inconsistent, unsteady disciples whose cheese is fall off their cracker

IT IS for poor, weak, sinful mean and women with hereditary faults and limited talents

IT IS for the bent and bedraggled who feel that their lives are a grave disappointment to God

IT IS for the smart people who know they are stupid and honest disciples who admit they are scalawags.”

Ragamuffins come in all shapes, sizes, colors, patterns and forms.  But they do have something that draws them into one giant family…they all admit they need help and they know where to go.  Jesus said, “Come unto me all you (ragamuffins) who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”  (Matthew 11:28)  I hope you identify with these words.

Terry Risser

Reflections:

1)   Do you struggle to see yourself as a ragamuffin?

2)   Why can that be an obstacle for many people?

Consider reading the Word today:

 

Copyright 2014- Terry Risser