The line between sacred and ordinary is fuzzy and razor thin—if it exists at all.
Maybe one side of that line is imaginary.
Maybe it’s all ordinary.
Maybe it’s all sacred.
I’m really not sure.
But if ordinary and sacred are both real and distinct categories, well, I have no idea how to tell the difference between them most days. My best guess? It has something to do with tilting your head just so… squinting just a little… and trying to dilate your pupils and your heart so that a tad more light gets in.
If the line exists at all, it’s fuzzy. And thin.
This week’s 5(ish)-Minute Sermon from Rev. Dani (video above) has me thinking about the sacred, the ordinary, and the fuzzy line dividing them.
She’s right. “Drive safe” is a prayer. A benediction. A blessing. A divine wish that you and I will encounter one another again in this life. A protective invocation. An orison whispered to God but disguised as a casual send-off.
It’s also the most ordinary phrase I can think of.
How can such a forgettable, everyday, standard phrase possibly include sacred juice or holy ingredients? It doesn’t seem to pass religious muster. But maybe that’s the point.
“Drive safe” fails to literally invoke God.
But maybe that’s because God is already there.
“Drive safe” is absent of traditional Christianese language like, “Jesus” or “Bless” or “Amen.”
But maybe that’s because it’s not the words (or the particular faith tradition) that make something sacred.
“Drive safe” is said by believers, unbelievers, heathens, and scoundrels alike.
But maybe that’s because logical beliefs, creeds declared, or the judgements of others have little to do with the wavelength we’ve clumsily named “God.”
Maybe there is holiness hidden in all the little benedictions of our lives. Maybe phrases like “See you later” and “Have a great day” and “Thank you so much” have little sacred sparkles tucked inside them that carry our soul’s desire to be together again… and our spirit’s gratefulness for the moments we just shared (because maybe those moments we just shared and the ones we hope for in the future are really all we have).
As my teenager goes out the door, gets in her car, and drives to Target or Starbucks or wherever teenage girls (who are mysterious and silly and powerful) go, I’ll say “Drive Safe.” And to be clear, I’m not sure if God (the God… any God) is listening. But hidden in the space between those two words, as they roll off my tongue, will be a truly sacred prayer of protection, of gratitude, of life, and of love.
May you and the people in your life “drive safe.” And may you and I both notice the holiness of all the little benedictions of our lives.
QUESTIONS FOR GROUP DISCUSSION
1. What is the "benediction" you find yourself sending people off with?
2. What do your beliefs teach you about the ways you're supposed to encourage others?
3. In what ways does our larger society keep us from sending people off lovingly?
4. How will you actively offer benedictions of love to people in your life this week?