The Real Clowns of God

  A favorite book is "The Clowns of God" by Morris West, author of  "The Shoes of the Fisherman".  A favorite song is "Where are the Clowns" by Barbara Streis, especially the closing line, "bring on the clowns. (pause) don't bother they're here". In my office is a bust of the famous  clown Emmett Kelly.
  Clowns have an important place in my life. They catch me when I take myself or life to seriously. Times when a person’s remark lifts me to the mountain top or plunges me to the valley floor. Whether I am going up or going down the frowning smile on Emmett's face reminds me there are downs after ups and ups after downs, or "Relax! This too shall pass."
  Periodically, I have been known to mutter things like, "Mmmm just once I would like to have access to the clowns, who allow all the Congressional waste.”  Or even closer to home, " Lord,  I’d like a long talk with the clowns who let the church fall into the hands of those bunch of clowns." Then a lovely voice whispers in my ear, "don't bother they are here." My own ignorance and apathy allows them, the clowns, to remain in power. The song ministers to me, as it seemingly says, "Relax! All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."
  The active pastoral ministry has been a great joy as well as a great sadness. Joy because people are always searching for God and the truth about God. Sadness because within the denominations of Christianity we still bicker amongst ourselves while the world drifts farther away. Heaven forbid, in just our little area alone, we have divided so much we now have about six Methodist Churches, five Presbyterian, five Assembly of God, twenty-eight Baptist, three Christian, thirteen Church of Christ and about thirty assorted others, and still dividing and multiplying.
  Who is causes these divisions among the people of God? In "The Clowns of God" the main character discovers the culprits are the petty church leaders, pushed by a thirst for power and hunger for financial security. They habitually do peculiar and selfish things contrary what to is good for the whole body of believers in God's kingdom.
  These little power centered creatures, who by selective reading reject the whole of the gospel of God to worship their petty little religious corner of the world, are called "the clowns of God". Morris West seemingly is saying, "Relax! Different gifts and workings, but the same Spirit and Lord."
  Clowns can be funny or sad. Clowns can be out there or in here. Clowns can be me or you. My guess is, God probably sees us all as clowns in life's circus.
  When our God says, "This too shall pass", is it said with light humor or with profound sincerity? I have heard it both ways. At times the message is "don't sweat the small stuff, look at the big picture." Other times, while in the depths of despair, the arm of God seems to slip around my shoulders with a comfort that says, "Hang in there, there is nothing in life that you and I can't handle together." Do you think Emmett taught that to God or God to Emmett?
  Did you ever suspect that when God informs us, "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," there follows at times a "heavenly chuckle"? For certain there is a chuckle when a clown of God, who thinks he or she has a direct link to the truth, is informed they are also sinners! History of God's people has demonstrated over and over that the holier than thou people were usually the first ones who yelled, "Crucify Him!"  They are the true terrorists.
  Sad but true, some clowns wear smiles on their faces and frowns in their hearts. A funny word here might be hypocrite, phoney or pharisee. God just laughs a belly laugh at self righteousness.
  When God declares, "Different gifts and workings, but the same Spirit and Lord." It is not funny to oppose or alter that principle. The clowns who put denomination or theology or practice above the whole people of God are not funny. They wear frowns on their faces and frowns in their hearts. God definitely frowns on their behavior. These clowns of God drive away the followers of God and replace them with clown followers. No it is not funny! It's a cult of clowns.
  So, Dennis, quit clowning around and get to the point. You got it! First, life is too short to take yourself too serious. Put on a happy face and a happy heart. Loosen up, God loves you! Second, we are all the same, we want love and freedom from death. Relax with the knowledge that in God's eyes you are normal! Finally, the clowns were allowed to divide the church universal (body of Christ). God wants us to stop clowning around and bring the people of God together again. God wants a family reunion. So bring on all the clowns,(pause) don't bother we are all here.