it is for freedom that Christ has set us free
What are the implications of grace? How does grace influence our thinking and living?
Categories: Grace.
I wonder if I’m angry enough to author a good blog post. Anger is a super motivator and gives you an edge. I’m currently lacking the angry edge.
I found myself more interesting when I was railing against the state of the church or ranting about some spiritual gripe. I can’t seem to get mad about church stuff. All of the things that used to fire me up about faith and spirituality aren’t doing much for me.
I guess I asked for it by pulling the plug on that mess. And I’m really thankful. Just a couple short years ago I was having panic attacks and basically hated what my vocation was turning me into. I wasn’t happy with the quality of my work or the state of my profession.
But I’m happy today. I’ve got plenty of available stress if I want it… doctoral studies, challenging private-practice cases, faculty concerns, and grief counseling. What?! And my happiness has little to do with the vocational aspects of life. I think I’m happy because I’m loved. And the amazing gift of salvation. What, but infinite love, could have motivated Father to reach out so tangibly? Amazing love!
So I lack a certain edge. But it feels good to relinquish control. It’s amazing to trust that he’s working everything out for the best. And there’s space for us to give and recieve grace. Religious obligation is for the birds. It’s a dead end. A lot like all that anger.
A new part of my spiritual journey is that I’m beginning to see the fruit of the Spirit in a new light. Living in the life of Christ implies that he produces something in me. Giving up any efforts to please or conform seems like the doorway a life of faith. I have found comfort in the knowledge that Father, by his Spirit, is doing what I could never do. Grace is not just a means to overcome my hangups, it is an invitation into the life of the Spirit.
Wayne Jacobsen unpacks this a little recently:
I’m in Kenya at the moment so I’m not sure when I’ll get to an internet connection to send this out, but I recently answered a similar question by email and will post my response here. I hope it helps. In the end, however, it is never easy to convince someone of these things if the Spirit of God is not opening their eyes…
“I can say this about the parable of the talents, it can be viewed as a performance encouragement by those who want to, but a closer reading would indicate that what the parable is really getting at is the fruit of a life lived well, not a performance to impress the King. The one who was most fearful about performance, ended up doing the wrong thing, if you¹ll remember. He was too scared of being punished to take his talent and live with it in a way that would bear fruit.
I think many people bring a performance interpretation to this passage, because that¹s how they see God. I used to as well. But when you see God as inviting us into transformation and freedom, then you see how paralyzing the spirit of performance truly is.
Wayne”
Categories: Grace.
I’ve experienced a shift in how I perceive God. I think it’s largely to do with how I’m beginning to understand his character. I think he’s generous, kind, hopeful, and loving. Whereas, I used to see him as stingy, mean, and testy. I happened across an account of the Babemba tribe in South Africa in a book available at work (where I do bereavement counseling) that captures how I think Father works:
In the Babemba tribe of South Africa, when a person acts irresponsibly or unjustly, he is placed in the center of the village, alone and unfettered. All work ceases, and every man, woman, and child in the village gathers in a large circle around the accused individual. Then each person in the tribe speaks to the accused, one at a time, each recalling the good things the person in the center of the circle has done in his lifetime. Every incident, every experience that can be recalled with any detail and accuracy, is recounted. All his positive attributes, good deeds, strengths, and kindnesses are recited carefully and at length. This tribal ceremony often lasts for several days. At the end, the tribal circle is broken, a joyous celebration takes place, and the person is symbolically and literally welcomed back into the tribe.
~From Kornfield, Jack (2004). The Art of Forgiveness, Lovingkindness, and Peace, Bantam Books, NY.
How beautiful to trust the goodness of God. I think this story tips it’s hat to the Prodigal Son. Which is essentially all of us who call ourselves Father’s kids.
Categories: Forgiveness, Generosity.
Ephesians 5:1-2 from “The Message”:
Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with Him and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn’t love in order to get something from us but to give everything of Himself to us. Love like that.
Amazing. Simply beautiful.
I think the last sermon I heard had something to do with prophecy. Plus the elder took the opportunity to resign from leadership. It struck me as an odd, angry, and passive-aggressive rant. I think that was the last sermon I heard. It was about October 2008.
The last time I can recall being a part of a service was when I sang for a Bible-quiz fundraiser. Another slightly odd occasion. I felt like the new kid at a middle-school dance. It’s the kind of awkward that you’re the only one feeling. Everyone else is happily chatting, eating store-bought cookies; they’re settled into the comfortable pattern of “hello” and “how are you.” I have a strained relationship with the religious world at the moment. As odd as it sounds; that seems to be working for me.
Kingdom Grace’s recent off the grid thoughts have special meaning to me. She said, “Unplugging from traditional services. No longer a customer” and “The simplicity of faithful Christian living doesn’t require expert help. Those who imply that it does have something to sell.” I’m not unsympathetic to the needs of a bureaucracy; I only have so much time and I don’t want to spend it trying to strike the proper religious pose.
My wife, God bless her amazing and patient heart, was noting that I haven’t gotten sick as much as when I was busy in the system. The stress I don’t feel isn’t killing me anymore. Sometimes I feel like one of a handful of hippies trying to reinvent the wheel. But the freedom. The beautiful, soul-refreshing freedom. I wouldn’t give that up.
I remember what it was like. One of my friends used to called me his spiritual advisor. And that’s what I felt I was expected to be… a special and hallowed human with uncanny spiritual powers. My job was to hear from God every week and pass whatever I heard along to everyone else. We could have been Ken and Barbie for Jesus but I was too heavy. And balding. Plus I was a terrible expert who knew too little. I could see through my own religious façade.
Ultimately, going, or not going to church, isn’t the point. Living deeply in the love of God in Christ, however, is everything. What seems most helpful is finding the kind of space where we can live freely out of the desires of our good Father’s heart. And that’s about all I need right now.
Categories: Church, Simple, Wilderness.
The New Testament calls followers of the Way “Saints.” Odd, don’t you think? Particularly in light of the fact that it doesn’t fit the common evangelical notion that we’re all predestined to screw “the Christian life” right up, ASAP.
I wonder if this collective obsession with unworthiness has anything to do with our regular inability to believe that Father calls us forward with him. Redemption is a most remarkable, amazing, and humble act. How could he do it? We’re down in the mud, he washes us off, gives us new clothes and says, “Daughter and Son, live in me.” What a trip.
Categories: Grace.
Another post from Michael Spencer made me weep: Real Apologetics. I think Michael is part of why I’m blogging again. Michael, we love you.
A bit of the conversation brings me some comfort: God of the dying, God of the depths and Michael is making me cry at work, dammit.
Categories: Life, Resurrection.
I Don’t Get It
Someone was asking me whether or not they should write a “letter of encouragement” to a homosexual man who was considering attending a spiritual retreat. He felt that Christians shouldn’t associate with him because of his sin.
What kind of strange evangelical vortex do I live in? Some Christians won’t associate with him because of his sin and he won’t benefit from their company because they’re “concerned” about his lifestyle. What a strange catch 22. I’m lost. I officially do not understand Evangelicalism. And I’m once again struggling to blend divine love with judgement.
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Categories: Commentary.