And when we take ourselves too seriously, we are grim about the brothers and sisters, especially the dissenting ones, and there will be no health in us and no healing humor.
Interpretation
Taking ourselves too seriously harms our relationships and diminishes joy.
This quote by Walter Brueggemann emphasizes the importance of not taking oneself too seriously, as it can create a grim atmosphere that negatively impacts our relationships, particularly with those who may disagree with us. By fostering a sense of humility and humor, we open the door to healing and maintaining healthier connections with others, which is crucial for our well-being.
In practice
In a team meeting to lighten the mood, one could say, 'Remember, when we take ourselves too seriously, we risk missing the joy of collaboration.'
People notice peacemakers because they dress funny. We know how the people who make war dress - in uniforms and medals, or in computers and clipboards, or in absoluteness, severity, greed, and cynicism. But the peacemaker is dressed in righteousness, justice, and faithfulness - dressed for the work that is to be done.
The task of prophetic ministry is to nurture, nourish, and evoke a consciousness and perception alternative to the consciousness and perception of the dominant culture around us.
Imagination is a danger thus every totalitarian regime is frightened of the artist. It is the vocation of the prophet to keep alive the ministry of imagination to keep on conjouring and proposing alternative futures to the single one the king wants to urge as the only thinkable one.
The power of the future lies not in the hands of those who believe in scarcity but of those who trust God's abundance.
Someone called all the newspapers in New York and told them I'd died. I've been told by almost everyone it was an ex-wife - I've had a few so it's hard to pinpoint which one - but who knows for sure?
It costs a lot of money to look this cheap.
Flattery is all right so long as you don't inhale.
I may be drunk, Miss, but in the morning I will be sober and you will still be ugly.
They do what they do for money - that's all. I don't even know why you're listening to me. I've done commercials for both Coke and Pepsi. Truth is, I can't even taste the difference, but Pepsi paid me last, so there it is.
I have been an author for 20 years and an ass for 55.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.