Patchwork Hero

 

 

patchwork copy Back in my Jesus freak days (my early 20’s) I was a sight to behold, particularly my wardrobe. I had a pair of jeans that were mostly a network of patches, imagine Joseph’s Technicolor Dreamcoat, but in pant form. I worn them with a bandana tied (don’t ask why, I just did) just below my right knee, perhaps a symbol of my own particular outlook on life.

I loved those pants…I still missed them

In many ways, those pants defined me and not just because they were skin tight. My life was (and still is) a patchwork of life experiences. I remember wearing them to church one Sunday and being chastised by an Elder for disgracing God’s presence by not wearing a suit and tie. When I reminded him that Jesus worn neither, he got angry and called me a clown.

And so I am

For years I danced around who I was, afraid to just be Jay, thankfully I left that dance floor years ago. I am a patchwork, a collection, an anthology of the life changing message of Jesus Christ. Who the Father is making me into is stands in complete opposition to what the world would like me to be. I refuse to be domesticated, tamed by a world system that devalues and destroys life. God is using my life collage to send a message counter to that system. That message pulls on my heart, urging me on, making me accept a truth about my life.

I am a patchwork hero

My hero persona is more akin to a rodeo clown, standing in the way of the bull threatening to trample a fallen cowboy. My pants may be funny looking, not up to standards, but they get the job done. My patchwork story tells a remarkable and powerful tale. It chronicles God’s redemptive work in my life, a life redeemed to make a difference, even when it looks foolish to do so.

“Our dedication to Christ makes us look like fools…” says the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 4:10.

You know…I’m OK with that. How about you?

 

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Comments

Dusty Rayburn said…
I'm trying to shake the image of Jay in skin tight jeans. It ain't going away! AAaaaahhh... ;-)

The old paradigm of church, was to treat the gathering and the place as Holy because God would meet us there. While it is true that God is there while we meet... the place is not what is set aside as holy. God's people are holy because God is with them - whether in a church building or not.

What we wear or don't is not as important as whose we are. All I ask, is you abide by the Scripture regarding modesty! Not sure your skin tight jeans fall into that category! ;-P



Blessings Brother!
TCAvey said…
I'm a patchwork myself...a testament of God's goodness and grace.
Yeah, I think a rodeo clown might fit the description of me :)
Bill (cycleguy) said…
I was never big on clowns in parades and circuses, but I like your kind. :) I am so glad jay you decided to be whom the Father made you to be. Anything else would be clownish.


http://billgrandi.com
Jay Cookingham said…
I know if I let my hair grow out now I look like Bozo the clown, so we'll avoid that at all cost! Thanks for the kind words bro'!
floyd said…
I like the analogy, Jay. We're all a collage of experiences that either point to the love and wisdom of God in us or points to the folly of our flesh. Only our Father can take the broken pieces of our weakened lives and mend them together and make them stronger for it. And stand in the way of a charging lion of this world with no fear because of Who did the stitching...


You wear it well, brother... Awesome post.
Jay Cookingham said…
Thanks Floyd...didn't know you were going all Rod Stewart on me tho'!
floyd said…
You're a little out of time... but I don't mind... !
jasonS said…
All I know is, I'm glad you're you. God uses the triumphs and the pains of our lives and makes something beautiful. Not everyone will recognize it as beautiful, of course, but when He is pleased, nothing else matters. Thanks Jay.

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