Whether or not you’re a gardener or a farmer, the simple, radical suggestion of this story is that the kingdom is not wholly reliant upon your efforts. In fact, it’s okay if you want to take a nap. I wonder, though, if we can receive this as good news?
Paul sees the mission of Jesus as renewing the unseen foundation of humankind. Christ’s mission teaches us that the pathway to the eternal is not through temporary outward fame or success, but through an inner core of gratitude, humility and service. His mission is to draw us into the ultimate peace that comes from serving a being and a community greater than ourselves.
For all of Eli’s flaws, he is surely a model for any of us called to hold space for anyone else to doubt whatever settled certainty is keeping them from hearing the life God might be calling them to live.
Maybe we could use a reminder that, when we try to talk about God, we are oysters, looking at starfish, trying to imagine a ballerina.