Grace Flat Tire
“We are very imperfect vehicles for the embodiment of Divine Grace. We’re all driving around on at least one flat tire and with missing or malfunctioning parts. Broken as we are, the impulse is still there: Christ’s desire to incarnate grace and truth.”—Br. Mark Brown, Brother, Give us a Word, Society of Saint John the Evangelist, Daily email SSJE, friends@ssje.org
Other spiritual friends and I relate to this message, as we both have mobility issues. We love the image of moving around with at least one flat tire and maybe more. Images from our physical life can be mirrors into our spiritual life. These images help us know a God who is all-knowing and whom we only have a tiny glimpse of from time to time. I hope to remember the flat tire when I make my mistakes. It helps me remember I am human and not beat myself up.
I just need a little more air (Spirit) in my tires.
I like the image of the Spirit, the air we breathe, being that air that is all around us and freely given.
Sometimes our tires become so worn that we will actually have to change them. That could mean so many things. The Spirit can no longer stay within our tires. Perhaps we begin a new spiritual practice. Maybe it is a sign that our image of God has become too small. Maybe it means old habits will no longer work to keep us connected.
The flat tire is a work in progress. It is a reminder that we are not perfection and are subject to change.
Joanna joannaseibert.com