Clowns to the left of me, Jokers to the right...

Here I am, stuck in the middle with you. Do you remember that song? Some of you are far too young, but it is one of those songs that has stuck with me for years. I don't even remember who sang it(if you do please tell me). But those are powerful lyrics.  That song really didn't mean too much to me when I was a kid, but recently has taken on enormous significance. 

I have been coasting along quite effortlessly for some time now, spiritually at least.  I have moved beyond my former roles and responsibilities within the institution we call church, and have settled into a, well, a rut I guess. It seems the more I try to move beyond those boundaries, the more I find myself back in the middle of them. 

I have been reminded of that reality today once again. I spent most of the afternoon, quite unexpectedly, engrossed in dialogue that centered on, you guessed it, church. Honestly, I am weary of the subject matter, but alas here I am yet again trying to swim up that waterfall of a topic. I have to ask myself...why?

Not sure I have the answer to that one either. Maybe I am a glutton for punishment. Maybe I feel that I have some unfinished business. Or maybe, like those lyrics suggest, there are Clowns to the left of me, Jokers to the right, here I am stuck in the middle with you.

And maybe, just maybe, that is God's plan after all. There are plenty of religious clowns and jokers out there, pitching their wares. Throwing sappy cliches and spiritual terminology at you. They have answers for everything, like circus clowns piling out of a VW, there never seems to be an end. Zapping the life right out of you. Have you had enough?

I know I have. 

But still, there is something deep within. Burning. Driving. Looking for release. Do you know what I'm saying? If so, maybe, just maybe, I'm stuck in the middle with YOU.