I used to think I was a detail-oriented person. And in some respects I think I still am... But I'm beginning to think that details are getting in the way of more consequential things. There will always be a thousand reasons not to do something. Some details even masquerade as legitimate concerns.
But these things will never matter.
There are bigger things to get upset about. Bigger things to orient our lives around. Bigger things that matter.
My new favorite part of the Bible is Matthew 5. It's the beginning of Jesus' teachings to the crowds that assembled to hear him. And the whole chapter is teaching about what really matters. What is in your heart really matters. The old ways of thinking about external behavior making a person clean and pure have been tossed out. And now, if you are even angry with someone it is as if you have committed murder.
What is really going on in your heart? Is my heart aligned with God? Is creation getting closer to reconciliation? Is the world getting closer or father away from the Kingdom of heaven? Am I being an active participant in helping this to happen?
I was talking with a friend the other day about jokes. Jokes are just jokes. I find it bothersome when people disclaim their jokes with a statement like, "oh, this is really racist, but..." or "I'm probably going to hell for saying this..." If in your heart you really believe that there are first and second class human beings.. then yes, maybe it's time for a check. But if it's just a joke... it's just a joke. There are times for jokes.
At church once, I read in the bulletin that when it came time for worship they invited you to sit or stand or dance around... whatever made you comfortable. There was no formal process or pointless details concerning proper worship. They went on to say that they encouraged this because God is much more interested in our hearts than our posture.
What outward posture are we creating that we think is going to lead to liberation and restoration? When really it's the transformation and the posture of our own hearts that is the matter.
God, help us to not get lost in the details.
Saturday, June 23, 2012
Sunday, June 17, 2012
The God-shaped Vitamin
I had a friend write a post lately about how the turnover and burnout of youth workers is telling the youth of the world that the church is "a place to leave", and I tend to think that's true. We live in a world where when things get anything less than ideal people tend to look for anything else. And those of us who have grown older sometimes don't do too much to combat this mentality.
But if I've learned anything about God... it's that he sees the bigger picture. Maybe my favorite thing to do is not the best thing. Maybe my favorite way to live is really skewed to good and righteous living. Maybe... just maybe I don't know anything at all.
I had an amazing week with several students and adults down in the hills of Appalachian America doing major home repair with people that really needed the help. And...
It amazes me how differently people see God.
People who do realize their need for him and seek desperately to fill the hole in their life with him generally tend to be able to cope with whatever they go through. And life is not fair.
People who don't realize their need for God I feel generally have their lives pulled neatly together and don't intrinsically have that need to trust something greater than themselves or their families.
But Jesus said once (and I paraphrase here), "I came for the sick. Do you really think the healthy need a doctor?" This idea of the need for God is so greatly influenced by our circumstances... but the kicker here is... it shouldn't be.
I don't think Jesus was referring to healthy people vs. unhealthy people. I think he was making a point that none of us are healthy and all are in need of God. Jesus was good with wordplay like that. Jesus spent his time rebuking those who 'had it all together' trying to break them down so they could realize their need for God. Jesus spent time going to those who knew they needed a messiah (a savior).
I'll be the first to admit that I don't always know if I know what I mean when I say stuff like, "have a relationship with God." But I do tend to believe that there are several ways to do so, and if we're going to make it through life and death, we have to continue to try for one.
Much love.
But if I've learned anything about God... it's that he sees the bigger picture. Maybe my favorite thing to do is not the best thing. Maybe my favorite way to live is really skewed to good and righteous living. Maybe... just maybe I don't know anything at all.
I had an amazing week with several students and adults down in the hills of Appalachian America doing major home repair with people that really needed the help. And...
It amazes me how differently people see God.
People who do realize their need for him and seek desperately to fill the hole in their life with him generally tend to be able to cope with whatever they go through. And life is not fair.
People who don't realize their need for God I feel generally have their lives pulled neatly together and don't intrinsically have that need to trust something greater than themselves or their families.
But Jesus said once (and I paraphrase here), "I came for the sick. Do you really think the healthy need a doctor?" This idea of the need for God is so greatly influenced by our circumstances... but the kicker here is... it shouldn't be.
I don't think Jesus was referring to healthy people vs. unhealthy people. I think he was making a point that none of us are healthy and all are in need of God. Jesus was good with wordplay like that. Jesus spent his time rebuking those who 'had it all together' trying to break them down so they could realize their need for God. Jesus spent time going to those who knew they needed a messiah (a savior).
I'll be the first to admit that I don't always know if I know what I mean when I say stuff like, "have a relationship with God." But I do tend to believe that there are several ways to do so, and if we're going to make it through life and death, we have to continue to try for one.
Much love.
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