We ran a glow foam run as a family tonight. It was a 5k with bubbles and black lights every 1,000 meters or so. I smiled as we waiting in the long line that wound around the parking lot to enter the race. People of all ages, sizes, and races were dressed up in glow sticks, tutus and silly glasses. Groups were laughing and snapping selfies as they lined up.
Play. We were meant to play.
To find moments to let go and be silly. To dress up. To dance. To wear pigtails and tutus. To play is to let go of masks and embrace a form of authentic vulnerability that returns us to childhood.
Yesterday, I was at the zoo. I stood waiting near the otter exhibit while a friend went to the restroom. Everyone loved the otters. Sulky teenagers lit up and became animated talking to friends. Old ladies smiled and chatted. Toddlers danced as the otters swam close. Over and over, people were drawn to the playful nature of the otters and turned to share the emotion with someone nearby, even when that someone was a stranger.
To play is to connect with the parts of ourselves created in God's image - creative, relational, joyful, curious, ungaurded.
We are drawn to the playful spirits of children and animals. We allow ourselves to set down our adult responsibilities for a moment, to step into worlds of joy enveloped by play.
We've even invented a word to describe the feeling that comes with letting go of play to return to our responsibilities. Adulting.
What if the new heaven and new earth were free from adulting?
No bills. No work. No health care appointments. No dishes or chores.
Play, I think, is a window into the resurrection life. Easter is coming and when it does, we can set our lenten responsibilities behind and embrace play with joy.
Days are growing longer. Life is growing anew. The playful days of Easter are just around the corner.
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