“This leads us to what might be called the irony of the mat. Our mats are usually what we are least proud of and most likely to hide. We are often convinced that if other people knew about our mats, they would stay away from us. But in reality it is precisely our mats that form the connecting points for deeper relationship.”- John Ortberg
“Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay before Jesus. When they couldn’t find a way to do so because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus.”- Luke 5:18-19 (NIV)
As John Ortberg moves on in Chapter 3 of Everybody’s Normal . . .. he notes that some people spend their entire lives doing ‘mat management.’ Consequently, such people:
- pretend they don’t possess a mat.
- see other people’s mat, claim to have a spiritual gift of ‘mat identification’ for others.
- list their primary goal as hiding their brokenness from others.
However, to foster a deep friendship, sometimes you need to allow another person to carry your mat. To use their strength on your behalf. Above all, John stresses, this requires formidable character and intentionality. In the process, everyone becomes more honest about their own mats. And a community forms, the Fellowship of the Mat.
In conclusion, Pastor Ortberg notes the desperation of the paralyzed man’s friends to get to Jesus. They determined to let nothing stand in their way. Because they had such strong trust in Jesus and such great love for their friend. John adds:
“These men are devoted to their friend, so they decide a roofing is not going to stand in their way. They serve him with determination, boldness, and a certain right-brained creativity. They become roof-crashers for their friend. And I have a feeling they will remember that moment for a long time.”
Today’s question: How do you address the irony of the mat in your life? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “In community with Jesus”