Resisting the Tempation to Isolate

RESISTING THE TEMPTATION TO ISOLATE
It is not uncommon at all these days to meet or know people who identify themselves as Christians, and yet are not a part of a church community.  I will be very direct regarding this.  I don’t believe it’s possible to be a Christian and live separate from the Body of Christ, or that is to say, live outside the Christian community.
I know that is a bold and pretty dogmatic statement and I can already hear “Ya, but”  filling the air. Let me say this first:  I understand how easy it is to find fault in the church. It is without a doubt flawed and lacking in so many places and so many ways. The fact that the Church is alive and thriving in the world today in spite of the massive and never ceasing fragmentations is in itself nothing short of miraculous.  

But like it or not, God chose to reveal himself through the collective voice of the Church.   We are His Bride, the Body of Christ, the channel by which he chooses to broadcast his love to the world. As Paul the Apostle proclaimed: “His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 3:10).  

If being part of a church community is not essential to our Christian lives, then why do we have letters to the Colossians, Galatians, Philippians, Romans, and Ephesians?  Obviously everywhere Paul preached the gospel churches were established, and communities of faith thrived.  And when a letter came to a community that had been established in a city, it would be read in the church. I am guessing here, but I’m pretty certain that they didn’t make copies or send curriers to those who had left the church because they were offended by one thing or another. I am pretty sure that I am on solid ground here when I say that when a person back then left the church, it was assumed they left the faith!   I am not saying that is the case when a person chooses not to be part of a church today, but I am saying one is in danger of “leaving the faith” when one isolates and detaches from Christian community.  

The New Testament is filled with ‘one another’ statements:  “Have peace with one another,”  “Love one another,” “Be kind and affectionate to one another,”  “Be of the same mind toward one another, “Wait for one another,”  “Serve one another,”  “Bear with one another,” “We are members of one another,” “Forgive one another,” “Submit to one another,” “Teach and admonish one another,” “Comfort one another,” and “Edify one another.”   It is obvious God created us to be in relationship with one another and it’s through our connectedness that we grow closer to Him.

I know that one reason why some Christians choose to alienate themselves from church is because they have no tolerance for the hypocrisy of greedy, prideful, and self-serving church leaders.   I am aware of the spiritual abuse, the harm, the pain, the tragic effects of getting it wrong. I agree that there is no excuse for this behavior and no explanation that justifies it, but it is not a reason for people to to excuse themselves from every Christian community.  You may point to how their actions hurt the reputation of the church and it’s credibility in the world, so you want no part of it.   This concern is not new.  The first century church faced this challenge as well and Paul the Apostle basically told the church at Philippi to get over it:   “It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel.  The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.Yes, and I will continue to rejoice (Philippians 1:15-18).  I’m with Paul. I’m going to focus on the latter.  I will leave the exposing, disciplining and such up to God.  I’m in no position to make those calls.

No doubt I’m curious and amazed at what I see happening in the Church and what goes on and why on earth He allows it, but in the end it’s His Church, His people and His problem, not me. I want to obey the instruction and teaching of the scripture and it is clear from scripture we are called together as a body, not individual body parts. If we detached ourselves from the Body, then we wither, die and are useless. Connected there is life and power to affect the world with the gospel of Jesus Christ.  
One of the most compelling aspects of a church community is to be known by others; in other words, we do life together and really get to know each other, with all our blemishes and faults exposed. What’s powerful is when that happens and we experience love, acceptance and forgiveness; it is healing and transforming.  That can’t happen one hour a week and it certainly can’t be done in isolation.  

I personally went through a season when I didn’t go to church. I felt it did me more harm than good for a boat load of reasons.   I became so tired of the hype, the promises, the visions, missions and calls to action by insecure and ambitious people.  I wanted nothing to do with it, and thought I was fine without it, but I knew in my heart that God did not call me to isolation; he called me to community, to do life with other followers of Christ.   He wanted me to  remain engaged in the mission to which we have all been called, that is to make Him known to a lost and dying world.  

,
I admit that connecting with a church community is not always easy.  You may have to learn how to avoid some land mines and a bit of manure in your pursuit of a Christian community, but they are out there and can be found.   You can find and develop replenishing relationships; ones that feed and build up, rather than discourage and deplete. But you are probably going to have to work at it, pursue it and seek it.    If you find yourself feeling isolated in a church community, take the first step and initiate a conversation with someone, volunteer to serve on Sunday morning, look for new people to welcome, or help with an outreach.  As much as it depends on you, stay connected.  

Am I saying you are not a Christian if you are not in community?  I want to, but I’m not sure that’s my call. What I know is you cannot be all that God has called you do be and you can’t do all that God has called you to do from a place of detachment and isolation, He simply did not create us for that.

The Word and the Works

The Word and the Works

 Matthew 7: 28-29 (The Message)

“When Jesus concluded his address, the crowd burst into applause. They had never heard teaching like this. It was apparent that he was living everything he was saying—quite a contrast to their religion teachers! This was the best teaching they had ever heard. “

            We find these two verses at the end of Matthew chapter 7----- the end of a remarkable collection of the teachings of Jesus, teachings that could realistically occupy our attention for the rest or our lives. I love the way The Message states it. It was clear to the people that there was a difference between teaching something you know and something you know about.  Frankly I don't think it is different today. I think people by and large can figure out the difference between someone who is teaching about something they have "learned" about through study and people who have actually lived it. How many of us would like to go up in an airplane with someone who has studied about flying and knows everything there is to know about it, but has never actually flown an airplane! No, thank you.

            We'll Jesus was different and he punctuated this difference in the next several chapters of Matthew. Jesus transitions immediately from teaching about the kingdom of God to demonstrations of the kingdom of God. After driving out demons or healing the sick, it was not uncommon for Jesus to state 'The Kingdom of God is in your midst."   Jesus wasn't just about the words.   He backed up His words with his works. He not only talked about compassion, he demonstrated it. When his cousin John the Baptist was executed, Jesus wanted to withdraw to a deserted place, but the crowd quickly found him.   Instead of complaining about not having time for himself, the scriptures say,  "He saw the people and moved with compassion and he healed the sick and did miracles amongst them."

            I'm afraid we can be accustomed to the Word without the works. We love to listen to the Word being taught.   We love to talk about the Word.  We love to study the Word, all of which is a good thing, but it's not enough. It would be like going into a restaurant and studying the menu and then saying, " I'm not going to get anything to eat, I just like to study the menu! "

            Jesus was about the Word and the works, demonstrating God's compassion for and desire to intervene in people's lives. His disciples followed his example and became "word workers” themselves.

            The question for you and me is this:  are we going to be people who just know all about Jesus and the things he did, or are we going to follow his example? Let's hear people say, "Gosh it's apparent they are living what they are saying!" 



Stay with your Pain

Stay with your Pain

“When you experience the deep pain of loneliness, it is understandable that your thoughts go out to the person who was able to take that loneliness way, even if only for a moment. When you feel a huge absence that makes everything look useless, your heart wants only one thing--to be with the person who once was able to dispel these frightful emotions. But it is the absence itself, the emptiness within you, that you have to be willing to experience, not the one who could temporarily take it away”  (Henri Nouwen).

I will be the first to admit that I’m the last one who wants to welcome the pain of loneliness into my life. Experiencing the emptiness within you is difficult to do.  The temptation is to nurse your pain or to escape into fantasies about things that will take the loneliness away. But when you can acknowledge your loneliness in a safe, contained place, then you make your pain available for God’s healing. It is God who we need to turn to in our pain.

Loneliness can be something that drives you to Him and causes you to rely upon Him.  Pain allows us to get in touch with our desperate need for God. God wants to touch you in a way that permanently fulfills your deepest need. It is important that you dare to stay with your pain and allow it to be there so that you learn to own your loneliness and trust that it will not always be there. The pain you suffer now is meant to put you in touch with the part in which you most need healing, your very heart. No human being can heal that pain. Still people will be sent to you who will mediate God’s healing, and they will be able to offer you a deep sense of belonging that you desire and bring meaning to all you do. Dare to stay with the pain and trust God’s promise to you.

Sometimes the hardest pain to live with is the pain that we bring upon ourselves by our own selfish actions. As John Holland, former President of Foursquare International was fond of saying, “Don't waste the pain.”  Some of my friends call this the “stupid tax.”  The key is that we learn from it. As C.S. Lewis said,  “If our house was a house of cards felled by one strong gust of wind, the worst mistake we can make is to go about gathering up the cards and building the same house.” 

Whether the pain of loneliness is self-inflicted, or brought on by the actions of others, in God's hands it becomes and instrument of healing and contentment.  If we don't run, hide, or avoid it, then it can be a tutor; it can help teach us to trust and depend on God, the very thing we are called to do in every circumstance and situation.   “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding (Proverbs 3:5). He will direct the course of your life.  Embrace the pain and allow God to embrace you in your pain. I am confident that you will know He is all sufficient.



I Wanna Get Naked

I Wanna Get Naked!

Do I have your attention? Some of you may be shocked, some of you may be sickened, some of you may be saying to yourself, “What they said is true, he's nuts!”

OK, let me explain what I mean, which could make it worse, but here it goes:  A few years back I was invited to speak at a men's retreat. The thought occurred to me that I should begin the first session by coming out naked! Yep, buck-naked!!!!!! OK, maybe some sandals to protect my delicate feet, other than that, come out in all my splendor. In my mind I could clearly see the reaction. I could see guys falling out of their chairs laughing. I could see them staring at me in complete and total disbelief, but most of all, I could see and hear a group consensus emerging....”Put something on!”  If I had actually done this, it would have made these men exceedingly uncomfortable. They would not have been able to endure me standing before them naked. And this reminded me of church!

We say we want to be open, transparent, honest, accepting, but we work really hard at covering up our imperfections and we become really uncomfortable when we are exposed to the imperfections of others as well.

There appears to be somewhat of a double standard at work in our midst, "Come as you are,” but  “Change, at least on the outside as soon as possible!”  The raw, naked truth makes us very uncomfortable. I think mostly because we don't know what to do with it. We tell people they just need to make right choices and everything will be OK.   Gosh, I wonder why Jesus never thought of that? Are you going to tell me He did? Is it some sort of Omega code hidden in the Sermon on the Mount?

You can argue that Jesus invited us to “Come and die” and that's a choice. But Jesus never invited anyone to do anything. Jesus was at the right hand of the Father when all that exists was created...the One who said, “Let there be light and there was light,” doesn't invite, He commands. When Jesus says, “Follow me,” it is not a suggestion. In Jesus’ time if a Rabbi said, “Follow me,” there was no other answer but “Yes.” It was the greatest honor of that time. It meant you were the best of the best of the best. I was like being asked to serve the President of the United States; you just did it.

Are there multiple-choice options when Jesus says, “Come to me”? Are there some other ways to find rest? Is there some other way to learn from Him, be instructed by Him than to come to Him?  I contend it is not simply a matter of ”right choices” or a commitment to a particular program that leads to life. I would contend that it is complete, total surrender to the One who says, “Come to me all you who are burdened and heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”  A set of principles will not give you rest, a series of right choices will not won't give you rest, the right affiliation will not bring peace and contentment. It's not in a principle; it's in Him.  Before Him we stand “naked and unashamed” and He clothes us in His perfection, His “rightness” so to speak.

It seems to me that there is no way to enter into the community of faith as those who follow Jesus, other than to admit that we fall impossibly short of His perfection. There is no way to be a “Christian” other than to admit that we are completely and totally un-Christ like.  In classics language we are sinners, who need a savior. But it appears, having once admitted that, we try to distance ourselves from that reality as quickly as possible.  Conforming to our new surrounding, acting and looking like everyone else, so others won't see that having come to Christ we are still flawed and hopelessly lost without Him.  We learn the language of church, adapt to the culture and blend in, all the while struggling with the fact that we are still sinners who need a savior, but can no longer admit it once we are "in” so we cover up. Moses did it and Paul busted him. Moses was in the presence of the Lord and he radiated that presence and it scared the people, so Moses wore a veil. Paul rats him in telling us that Moses wore the veil long after the glow had gone. Hmmm sound familiar?  

One of the things I really appreciate about “High Church” is the fact that communion is the center of the whole liturgy.  The altar, the place where we openly admit we are sinners, serves as a reminder to us that “If we confess our sins, because He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”   In a sense when that is done we do so in nakedness. We are unable to pretend that we don't fail, that we aren't flawed, that we don't sin. Perhaps that is one of the reasons why Jesus instituted Communion as one of the central sacraments of the faith----So the pretenders can't pretend.  It's a place where we have admit that even though we made all the right choices and followed all the right principles, kept all the right promises, we are still sinners who need a Saviour. You cannot take communion and cover up your flaws, in fact, if you take Communion, you are admitting you are flawed, that you fall short.  I just wish that afterward we wouldn't go back to pretending and covering up.  I want to get naked! I want to be who I am, warts and all! I want to be loved by God's people like I am loved by God.

I don't want to feel like I need to cover up, because my pain, my brokenness, my failures make others uncomfortable in a church culture that says if you come to Jesus your marriage will be better. If you come to Jesus your kids will be better. If you come to Jesus your finances will be better. Is that the Gospel?  And I don't want others to cover up because they feel their pain, their brokenness, and their failures will make me uncomfortable.

We are what we are; we are who we are. Before God we are naked and unashamed, before each other, not so much.

I just want to be who I am and what I am, the same person before God as I am before others. I don't want to have to try and hide, try to conform, try to cover up for people when I don't have to cover up for God. But unfortunately, I feel like I need to, I feel like I have to because my “nakedness” makes others cringe.

"Just as I am, I come to thee..."

Naked I came into the world; naked I will leave this world, blessed be the name of the Lord!

Man Am I Stupid

Man Am I stupid!

Not exactly the uplifting title you would expect for a blog post,  but there is some truth in it, especially in light of Proverbs 12:1,“Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid.”   I actually love this verse and the NIV translation leaves little to the imagination.  One does not need a full working knowledge of the Hebrew language to get the idea that’s it’s pretty stupid to run from God’s discipline.  It’s pretty clear that in God's economy correction is a good thing and beneficial to us, yet in my experience most people are not naturally inclined to embrace it, or like it, let alone love it! But correction, in particular correction that comes from the hand of God, is a necessary and unavoidable part of relationship with God---“because the LORD disciplines those he loves” (Proverbs 3:12).

The problem is that when I am being corrected and disciplined by God, I don’t always see it as the hand of a loving Father who is looking out for me and helping me grow spiritually. I tend to see the testing and sundry of other not so appealing elements and it is my tendency to avoid it at all costs. Yet I know that it is through the times of correction that I experience the most spiritual growth.  It is when life picks me up and slams me to the ground that I am made acutely aware of my need. And that is the place I actually find to be the safest. When I am aware of my need, it causes me to turn to the only One who can meet that need.  The Apostle Paul, who seemed to be always cognizant of God’s refining fire, called it “glorying in weakness.”

The important thing is that we need to be aware, alert and paying attention when the time of correction comes, so that we do not try to escape or elude it.  We need to be careful not to seek to invalidate the correction because it comes from someone or some situation that we deem unworthy of bringing correction to us. Remember God used the Philistines to bring correction to the Israelites.  God can and will use any way and means to bring about the work and growth He desires in His children.  Let’s not forget this certainty: “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it”  (Hebrews 12:11).

Let’s not be stupid.  Let’s not allow ourselves to hate correction, even though we are not always too thrilled with the painful process. Let’s find reassurance in the fact that correction is an indication that God loves us, knows we exist and is looking out for us.  Amen to that!