Parakalein

Albert Einstein said, "Not everything that counts can be counted and not everything that can be counted counts".  this idea is over and against the idea that "if it cannot be measured it does not exist".  The later is a statement based on the focus of the researcher that intends to predict or control behavior by measuring what impacts of effects behavior.  The former statement eludes to the idea that there are subject experiential realities that are hard if not impossible to quantify, codify, calculate or control.  A loving heart heart full of peace and compassion responds to crisis and criticism and rejection differently if the heart is open.  

During Holy Week, we see and imagine the passion of the cross and the crowd.  We can easily measure the power of mob mentality.  On Sunday with high expectations of a new day of peace and justice the crowds were counting on their desires being fulfilled.  By Wednesday the tide was turning and the wave of celebration was moving to tsunami of rejection.  What counts for some is getting what I want.  What counts for others is being open hearted and open minded.  The number of those supporting Jesus was diminishing quickly.  From the crowds, to 12, to 1 to none.  What counted for Jesus was not the number of people who followed him but the heart of the Father that he was declaring "wide open" to receive all God's creation into the canopy of God's loving.  What counts is not what I gain but what I am willing to lose or let go of anything that gets in the way of my being loving toward God, self, and all people.

JIm Elliot a missionary who died at the hands of those he came to love said, "He is no fool to give up what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose".  That is what counts.  In Holy Week the message is that loving toward all no matter what they do to you counts beyond measure as it represents a God who's love is beyond measure and truly counts!

Count on and count upwards.