over vacation one of the friends i took with me was jim palmer. i hadn’t anticipated taking jim.. i just anticipated taking his first book "divine nobodies." i have known jim for almost three maybe four years now. we met for the first time at an early version of our nashville emergent cohort. i like to say we have been friends ever since, though we would both have to agree, we don’t hang out enough.. like quite rarely as of late. which is just what it is for now.
in saying that i took him on vacation with us is sharing that an encounter with jim is an encounter into someone who has made themselves as transparent as one can be. i think i do a pretty good job on the blog of being transparent, but he’s got me beat. with his transparent nature and honesty comes a reflection of humility in a person who has lead a life complete with fracture and triumph, misdirection and reorientation, pride and compassion, moving into that love that we all hope for in our own lives. the premise of the book can easily be figured out by pondering the title and subtitle "divine nobodies, shedding religion to find God and the unlikely people who help you." it is one mans journey down that "religion" path of linear steps and success markers. only to come to a place where life, that everyday life, comes through and makes all that painful to the soul. through that there are normal everyday people that come and go in life that reflect Christ to their fellow ordinary people, or "nobodies" as "the world" is concerned.
i feel like i know my friend so much more now than ever. he would tell stories of people, which generally revolved around the nashville area (but not all) and i’d wonder.. "is that my mechanic?" "which waffle house is that?" (i have a good guess on that one, jim actually lives nearby)
through this he challenges his upbringing of the "religion" steps and success (which made me think of this article over and over again) on what it means to be Christian plus who you & i can learn from. it made me think, when people talk about those "God" moments most are centered around children, nature, and music.. at least that is my viewpoint. no one ever looks for or will claim those learning moments talking to a server or gas station attendant.. why?.. why not?.. for this reason i would say that all should give some thought to the divine nobodies in their life or their role as a divine nobody in others lives. read the book if you are confused by that, you might need to experience jim pilgrimage down the path to this point to be able to see your own. i know i am better for having taken him on vacation.
it made me thank all the staff that served us a little more. pay attention to someone who was generally invisible to others. tipping a little better.. which makes me think of a point in the book i continue to ponder…
[speaking of wanda the waffle house server, after being tipped with a tract]… Wanda got me thinking about whether any theology can be "right" if it doesn’t motivate you to treat people with love and respect. Let’s just hope on Judgement Day that God doesn’t leave it in the hands of the waitresses, cashiers, and all the other invisible people in our world who are on the receiving end of what’s truly in our hearts. (pg41)
it helped me to discover as divine nobodies some fabulous new friends on our trip (they really were on the trip, not a book persona). same with just a conversation on the plane. both things i am not normally apt to do myself due to my underlying shyness.
the idea is not new. one can go back to what i have mentioned before as the role of porter in the monastery. they greet everyone as Christ is within each person and they try to reflect the same. i like the idea of claiming to be a nobody.. i often times try to pump up the stats on my resume when it just isn’t necessary. i know, but i still do it.
one this is for sure, the world needs more divine nobodies.
