HD Homily- Imperfect

ENan and I started planning our recent trip to Utah back in January of this year.  We knew we wanted to see as many national parks and other scenic attractions as possible, but we also wanted to experience some of the culture of the area.  We came across an ad for a “Red Heritage Cultural Dinner” in Page, Arizona that caught our eye.  So we went, not knowing what to expect.

The evening was very interesting.  Page is in the Navajo Tribal Region of Arizona, so naturally the evening featured Navajo (they call themselves Dine’) food and entertainment.   We began with a dinner of “Navajo tacos” which consisted of your choice of taco toppings on Navajo fry-bread (think of a funnel cake without the sugar.)  After dinner we were treated with traditional Navajo dancing and music, all done in native costumes.

Before the music and dancing, however, an older Dine’ woman told a little of the history and culture of her people.  She talked about the Trail of Tears where the Navajo were displaced from their homeland and forced to walk 400 miles with very little food or water.  She demonstrated how they spun wool from the sheep they raised and then wove the wool into beautiful rugs.  As she explained the process, we began to understand why the genuine Navajo rugs were so expensive!

One thing I would not have noticed is that every genuine Navajo rug has a flaw in it.  The weaver intentionally weaves a subtle but definite imperfection into each rug as a reminder that we also are imperfect.  Each one of us has flaws that may not be obvious to us but most likely are obvious to others.  The imperfections in the rugs call us to recognize that even though we are not perfect, we are still capable of great beauty and love. They also challenge us to be patient with others who are also flawed. 

The Apostle Paul expressed this truth of human nature when he wrote, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works…” (Ephesians 2:10)  Although we are flawed and imperfect, we can proclaim, “You created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.”  (Psalm 139:13)  When you look in the mirror you are looking at a masterpiece of God.

When you look at your neighbor, you are looking at another one.

-Dr. Jim Baldwin