February 11th, 2010

Ah, my study. Cosy, familiar, and almost completely soundproof.

A moment ago I had to run downstairs to answer a cry of, ‘I’ve done a poo, Daddy!’, and left my steaming cup of freshly-ground coffee standing as the electric heater stirred into life. When I returned, the room smelled exactly like one of those healthy vegetarian cafes that sell things made from soya and carob, and in which everything is made from wicker…. (Interestingly, when I just Googled wicker, the first search result was the website of an unusual shop in Chesterfield called Huckleberry Willow, which I used to love going in when I was younger. It had exactly the vibe that I associate with the smell I just encountered. I think it was owned by hippies…..)

This week I’ve been fortunate enough to receive some feedback on the book that I recently completed. I’m extremely grateful to the people who’ve read it, and they’ve given me some really positive comments. Yet a couple of themes seem to be recurring when it comes to the ‘constructive criticism’ part. Firstly, no-one seems to get the ending. Quite a worry, given that the ending is my favourite part of the book. But secondly, and perhaps more easy to remedy, is the fact that people felt that one particular character wasn’t developed well enough. Looking back, I’m inclined to agree; as Mrs Cooper put it, ‘He needs more meat on his bones’. I need to add more description of him; of his appearance, demeanour, and background. The more he is included in events, the greater the depth of characterisation created. Words - the right words, words that will put him in context – are so important.

I came across this idea earlier in the week when I was reading a passage in Jeremiah. It was only a couple of pages after a quite famous verse from that same book, which I had highlighted ages ago, and the flash of green caught my attention. I turned back to look at it. It was the one that reads [I have] plans to prosper you and not to harm you – Jeremiah 29 v11. As I read the verse, the thought occured to me that I had no idea what the passage as a whole was saying – there was very little meat to the bones of this verse. What if I was taking it out of context?

And so I read the whole chapter. The verse before talks about God’s promise to bring the exiles (us) back to ‘this place’ – wherever that may be for us. He wants to come to us – but we must meet Him halfway, as it were. We need willing and receptive hearts. The verses after it say that He will listen when we call on Him, and that when we seek Him, we will find. Sounds familiar….. It seems that there is work to be done on our part in order to access these plans that God has for us…..

Have you ever watched Score, the BBC’s attempt to hide the fact that they don’t actually have the rights to any live football? (Somehow, live bowls and cross country doesn’t quite have as much of a pull…..) It’s basically two and a half hours of four men (and sometimes Gabby Logan) talking about something that only they can see, i.e: the game. A myriad of statistics flash by in red, white and yellow. Scripted banter plugs the gaps between goals, and ‘burning issues’ are discussed, even argued over. Yet somehow, this spectacle is more entertaining than the real thing.

Live games are ninety per cent boring. Let’s be honest here. What Score does is enhance the exciting bits and gloss over the dross (a term which most Wednesday fans will be all too familiar with). Hearing the opinions of four over-excited middle aged men is like watching a game with your mates – you hear opinions, some of which you agree with, some of which you don’t. It lends a whole new depth to what’s going on. Seeing it for yourself is good, but sharing the experience is much better.

We need that context of conversation, of words, of other people’s interpretations, when we read scripture. That’s why belonging to a community of like-minded people is so important.

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