Yearning for the Sea

"If you want to build a ship, don't herd people together to collect wood and don't assign them tasks and work, but rather teach them to long for the endless immensity of the sea." -Antoine De Saint

Spoken from a true pilot, adventurer, and writer. I share his blood. When a friend of mine sent me this quote, I immediately began reflecting on how closely we resemble his words. Is it not a fitting description of our attitudes? We have become aware of a relationship with God but we've for some reason or another traded in the passionate, 'Sacred Romance' of a relationship for a caffeine-free, reheated-yet-still-lukewarm cup of Foldgers in the form of a dutiful, obligated religion. While I'm sure we may want people to have a relationship with God, I'm not sure our actions are helping. Do we want to convince people to build a boat, or do we want them to yearn for the endless sea? Do we want people to "get saved," start going to church, tithing, and serving as a greeter every Sunday? Or do we want them to yearn for Sacred Romance found in a passionate, intimate love relationship with the true living God, to be free, to experience oneness with God and with His family? Do we invite them to experience what it means to be truly alive and free because God rescued us from our darkness so we could once and for all truly live?

We're getting really efficient at 'building the boat' in the Church. And sadly, there are many in churches who are secretly growing tired of building the boat. The question is, how long will people put up with the arduous task of piecing together a boat? It's time for a re-awakening, for someone to speak to our dying hearts and teach us to yearn for the "endless immensity of the sea." Maybe then that boat building task will then happen all on its own as we together take up the quest in pursuit of our destiny.

This has been a powerful reminder me for me in my quest for the God of the Bible (The Story). Yearn. Long. Teach humanity to yearn for the most dazzling of all romances: When God woos the heart of man. It is an adventure God has set in our hearts. We realize it in our deepest pains and happiest joys. But, will it motivate us to yearn for the intimacy God offers?

God really really really loves you

Do you love God? I hope you do, because you are invited to. Because God really really really loves you. Don't be afraid to enter into an intimate love relationship with Him. Just think, that's the one thing that your enemy is dedicated to keep from happening. Is it working? He knows what he's doing. So are you willing to struggle openly (instead of privately/secretly) along side of your brothers and sisters to do all that you can together to stand up against the Devil's purposes? Remember, our struggle isn't against flesh and blood. If it were, we'd be good at loving God, and our efficiency would actually help our cause. But, no, our struggle is against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Efficiency doesn't cut it. Neat orderly sermons don't cut it either. A spiritual, intimate love relationship with our Abba Father which takes place as we abide in Him and He abides in us, and pours out His love into our hearts and we do His will and take our stand against evil will cut it. And it does cut it. It cuts deep into our hearts and we thrive. What if our struggle really was against cosmic powers over this present darkness and spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places? No, it couldn't be, because our theologies don't have room for this to be true. As some friends I know would say it, "Shame." Need I say it again? I mean, I for one thrive on this.....God really really really loves you.

Re: New Outcomes

"I imagine churches that believe deep friendships change people. [...] When wer'e not careful, our churches can lose the spirit of true hospitality and friendship that are the core of life-changing relationships. When I speak of hospitality, I don't mean a lunch-in-the-church-basebment kind of hospitality. I mean something that takes the kindness and generosity of those meals and adds a new level of vulnerability. This vulnerability is a step beyond accountability. Accountability assumes a person will do her own work as she seeks to live a Christian life while others will do what they can to keep her on track. Vulnerability is a call beyond merely asking others to hold us to living in the way of Jesus [following Jesus :)]--it's inviting them to participate in our efforts to do so. Vulnerability allows those around us to paticipate in our redemption [...]" (p.167).
(Pagitt, Doug, Preaching Re-imagined: the Role of the Sermon in Communities of Faith, Zondervan, 2005)

(me) It's so easy to leave change up to Sunday Morning, Sunday School, Sunday Evening, and Wednesday night preaching. It's easy to think that change is supposed to happen as I read my Bible and pray every day. But would you think I was heretical if I said that I don't think the Bible teaches this? (not to mention I don't think it works, but you'll have to ask me why)

Change is rooted in close friendships. Change is the product of people living out what it means to live together in fellowship with the Spirit and Jesus' blood (see 1 John 1). Accountability is for Joe at PNC bank, or Beth at McDonalds. It's for anyone. But, not vulnerability. Not spirt-led speaking into the lives of our brothers and sisters. Even Sermons though. It may be harder for some than others, but nearly anyone can spend 30 hours on a text of Scripture with ample books preparing a cookie cut out sermon to "deliver" to people complete separated from where they really are in their lives. But not vulnerability. Only those who drink from true, Living Water have the drive to be vulnerable enough to invite another into his story so true building can take place. What would our churches look like if Sunday morning was a corporate, community sermon, being vulnerable was the cost of entrance, and the pews were spelled "SAFETY" ? Seriously, what would we look like?

Magical Days

What has following Jesus looked like in your story lately? I've pondered my own answer to this question lately, or at least, whenever I pull out my journal. I love Jesus, but do I walk like Him? If I love Him, I walk with Him, and will walk like Him. Can it really be that simple? I mean was this the goal Jesus had in mind for His followers? If so, we have problems. The question becomes, how did Jesus walk? For if we are truly followers, then we will be the answer to that question. Church becomes a group of people living out the faith, journeying toward God together and taking part in the work of God on earth. Wasn't that a summary of the life of Jesus?

Hanging out tonight with guys who were smoking and drinking reminded me of where we ought to live out these stories. And being around guys who visibly have pain and hardships in the same ways I do reminded me that we are both human. Church is a gathering, not a center. It is a gathering of the followers of Jesus scattered about in the world in which they live and are members of. Church is the expression of the heartbeat of the work God is doing around us. The work happens as we seek to understand and live out His story for the sake of our friends, and thus be an expression of the healing touch of God.

This doesn't even begin to scratch the surface. One thing I've figured out about the body of Christ lately is that sometimes following Christ means seeing Him in other people. I saw Him this weekend. I saw Him in Kenny. I saw Him in Corey. And what would you do when you're ambition is to become like Him? Appreciate, and imitate. Imagine that. Imitating each other because we see Jesus in each other. Wow.

I experienced a magical day or two this weekend. God was winking at me. I'm trying hard to wink back.

Re: Submit to One Another

A certain friend posed this question: "Can we truly allow another believer to 'bear our burderns' if we do not open ourselves up and allow him access to the depths of our being?" (Re: Submit to One Another)

No, I really think it's not possible. Sadly, though, I'm not sure we're willing to....unless..... we've heard from God what He thinks of us with our fig leaves removed, standing totally exposed before Him. It's probably the most mystical, vulnerable thing we can do. And I think it has something to do with the process of being rescued from darkness and the despair of evil (what fundamentalism calls "saved" or "salvation" or maybe "rededication").

Uh, here's what I mean. A mentor-friend of mine taught me that grace means to stand totally exposed yet be totally accepted. A few years ago, I tasted this grace for the first time in the journey. I think he's pretty close. See, what caused Adam and Eve to shamefully hide in the garden now is cause for us to fall into the arms of our Rescuer, Jesus.

Because as ugly as my hidden life had become, I was convinced in my shame to hide myself from God and man. But, finding clues that His heart was good, I surrendered. And, I myself am totally exposed before God, yet totally accepted. I am bewildered by the truth that we, being His children, have everything we need to be victorious in the painful struggle against sin and the evil one. But here's the heart of my battle, the choice I must make daily in this struggle: Is my reputation (what other people think of my greatness) more valuable to me than the health of the body, and becoming a man like Jesus in His death that I might live like him through His life? I finally made the choice to take the road less traveled, and I assure you, it is terribly painful. But, it is totally worth it. I know the truth of who I really am...I am strong, and I have overcome the evil one (see 1 John 2:14). God makes me strong for the sake of my brothers and sisters also on the journey. But, I am strong because I am weak. I am only strong because I'm not alone in this battle/journey. I need brothers and sisters who can wield the sword and take up the shield of faith beside me, especially when I can't. And I cannot, and neither can you, unless we know (are convinced of) who we really are--knowing the power of being accepted by our heavenly Father, knowing Christ as our brother and perfect high priest, and above all, knowing the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge.

It's all in the journey. Are we ready for it? The the health of the Church depends on it. Hey, there really is a battle underway for middle-earth.

So, we're to confess our sins to one another, because we struggle and desperately need healing. We're to bear one another's burdens, because Jesus bore our shame on the cross and we have nothing left to hide.

So, no, to answer the question, I don't think it's possible. We can't allow another believer to 'bear our burderns' if we do not open ourselves up and allow him access to the depths of our being. We cannot open ourselves and grant one another access to the depths of our being until we know the Truth, and the Truth sets us free. What can we possibly be waiting for?

A Tragedy

There once was a man who was caught in sin. He was immediately taken to a meeting of Christians. Exposed before them all, he said nothing as each one of these Christians whipped him, jabbed him in the back, and spit on him. They condemned him, and left him in a gutter to soak up his tears. Somehow he managed to drag his wounded body back home. At least there his family tended to his wounds, washed him of his filth, and nursed him back to health. But he wasn't the same anymore. The more time that passed, the more hollow this man seemed. He was a kind man, and a hard worker. He had dreams like everyone else, but above all, it became obvious that this man was seeking one thing. A safe place, where arms of compassion would welcome him home, where sweet mercy falls like rain, and where a band of brothers would fight for him and never leave him behind. He sought a place called grace. And then this man received a chance to try again. He took it relunctantly because all he wanted was that place. But his reluctance turned to hope when he heard rumors that this was that place. He tasted excitement when more and more people talked about something that sounded so strongly like this place. There he walked into another meeting of Christians with the memory of his stoning still weighing heavy on his heart. And much to his surprise, they listened to the account of his horrifying experience of being caught in sin and they accepted him. He was convinced that it would only be a matter of time before these men extended their arms of compassion to welcome him home, show him sweet mercy, and fight along side of him never to leave him behind. While the men acted like they belonged to this place, this never happened. He excused their distance, and went on with life as he always knew it to be: hard, painful, and lonely. As the weeks passed, tears constantly filled the man's eyes. Reminders of this place called grace tormented his weak heart. He longed to meet Jesus, but he was trapped with strong men who maintained their distance. It was true, they had good excuses why the man wasn't welcomed into their safe place. One claimed it would be too awkward for himself if the man were included. Another feared that the leader would probably hurt the man instead of help him. Some were uncomfortable with sins being confessed. Others of them believed their culture couldn't handle it. Their women seemed perfect, and could not tolerate a man's weakness. This made these men afraid of letting a sinner into their safe place because their wives would never understand. And that's just it--they were afraid. They never tried. They went on with their lives as usual, and soon forgot all about him. But months later, when they remembered the man, it was too late. The enemy attacked. He found the man in total isolation and ambushed him with accusation until he fell apart. The man fought back, but he was too weak, and he fell. His family agonized over this tragedy, but none of the people knew how to help them. They never learned how in Sunday School. They never were taught by their Teacher. So they did what they've always done: put on a smile, and pretend like everything was okay. And it worked. And don't worry, it really is okay. The man got to meet Jesus. And Jesus wrapped him in His arms of compassion, washed him with tears of joy, and welcomed him home. And there, in the arms of Jesus, he found the sweet mercy that fell like rain. There, he met his Band of Brothers who would never leave him behind. And the man was fully alive for the first time in his life. (and it was he to whom eternal life was given)

"God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble." James 4:6
"If anyone says, 'I love God,' yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen." 1 John 4:20
see John 8:1-11