Ritual - Man Who Jumped into Lake Michigan Nearly Every Day for a Year

 

Friday, June 11, 2021 the New York Times reported on Dan O’Conor who during the Covid-19 Pandemic jumped into Lake Michigan nearly every day for a year. He did it as a release and escape from the uncertainty and strain of the pandemic. People discovered what he was doing through social media where he would post videos of his jumps, and they found it relaxing and inspiring to watch him.

“In times of great stress like the pandemic, rituals can take on a heightened importance. In March 2020, New Yorkers leaned out of apartment windows, clapping for health care workers each night at 7 p.m. sharp. Other people, jittery at home, baked bread daily, scheduled a Zoom call with their families every Sunday, or went for a walk at the same time each evening.

The daily jump was slowly becoming Mr. O’Conor’s own way through the pandemic.” (Julie Bosman, NYT reporter)

In the winter when ice formed on the lake, he brought a shovel to break a hole for himself.  Other people started joining in on the ritual in-person, showing up at the spot at 10:30 am to watch. Sometimes musicians would join him and play some musical accompaniment while he jumped.

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/11/us/lake-michigan-coronavirus.html?action=click&module=Top%20Stories&pgtype=Homepage

Preach a Better Sermon with your Life

I used to go to a doctor who was obviously overweight and who smoked.  This doctor had heart trouble issues as well. When he would advise me on diet and exercise, I believed what he told me was medically accurate, but I wasn't inspired by any example he was setting. Under his care, I continued to increase in my weight.  Now I go to a different doctor who is slim and does not smoke. Since I've put myself in his care, I've been more inspired to lose weight and keep fit.  The example he has set has helped to motivate me.

That's why this testimony makes sense to me:

"Dr. Furr, a resident of Jackson, AL and the Alabama-West Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church lay leader, incorporated a video presentation of his personal account of weight loss and transformation into leading a healthy lifestyle. Furr realized that when his wedding band no longer fit, it was time to make a change. Furr is a family practitioner physician in Jackson and explained that his patients were able to better follow his medical advice by him leading as an example. The video also showed his daily routine of work, family and exercise all blended in an appropriate fashion. He expressed in his address that, "Being or living a sermon is a whole different matter. A part of me had to die so the real me could live. I was desecrating the temple God has given me. I had to decide to BE a sermon." As God tells his followers our bodies are a temple, Furr said, "my personal temple was in disarray." At one point, Dr. Furr was 5'6", 236 pounds. He now proudly weighs in under 175 pounds. He concluded by saying that, "Jesus Christ is the best personal trainer ever."

Furr made a poignant statement in saying, "You can preach a better sermon with your life than with your lips." Rev. Rurel Ausley, a member of the Alabama-West Florida Conference delegation, commented on Dr. Furr's statement by saying, "Steve masterfully articulated his physical transformation into a spiritual parable for personal transformation in Christ. Inspiring and at times tearing up, Dr. Furr electrified the General Conference and made all of Alabama-West Florida burst with pride."

To see Dr. Furr's video testimony, click here. The full address is archived here. 

Article found here: http://www.awfumc.org/news/detail/756