A very good friend, being used by God, sent Gene a care package. (thanks John!) In this package was a book that many of our friends have already read and recommend, The Barbarian Way : Unleash the Untamed Faith Within by Erwin Raphael McManus. Ya know when you start reading a book that articulates the very things that have been running around in your head? I picked the book up to glance at the contents and could not put it down. I read it in one sitting - it's not really that long, so that's not a huge deal. In the pages of the book I found a confirmation to the things that I believed God was already teaching me.
I have always struggled with what do you do when the things you think fly in the face of the majority, with the church and even those I consider to be more mature in the faith than I? I'm not speaking so much of basic doctrinal stuff, more of how it shapes our every day lives and what it looks like to be transformed by the Spirit of God...to take up a cross and follow Jesus.
Caution: the following questions have certain adverse side effects:
What does it really look like to "follow Jesus"? Why does it look so different for many of us living in the U.S. today in comparison to what the first disciples lived? Where did we ever learn that we should we be passive, nice, friendly, prosperous, safe, healthy, smiling Christians? -and yet it is popular to ascribe to following Paul's teaching while not considering that our lives should look like the suffering and shipwreck, poverty and starvation that we know he experienced. (These are different times after all.) Should we ever call a group of well respected, well meaning Christian leaders "brood of vipers"? Should we risk embarassing people around us, being "the freak" in our workplaces? Should we put ourselves in danger taking someone into our home or giving them a ride home? Is it the preacher on the street corner with the look of a homeless man that really has it right? How is that I find myself being significantly shaped by the "masters of marketing" and the "american dream"? When did "relational evangelism" turn into "if everyone likes you they will ask you about Jesus - eventually"?
Do we love as Jesus would? Do we love those Jesus loved? Do we say the name of Jesus "in the market place" as if it is what we say when we sing...the most beautiful name?
Gene and I watched Star Wars Episode III, Revenge of the Sith lastnight. I was challenged by Yoda. (that is so wierd for me to even write). He was advising Anakin Skywalker to "train yourself to let go of that which you fear losing". He was calling Anakin to a life of adventure, uncertainty, selflessness - for the sake of something greater than himself.
In everything we do there is an easy safe way and then there is a way that seems reckless at times. In our lives the "reckless" way has often been found the way to go. Again as McManus puts it, "Jesus never made a pristine call to a proper or safe religion. Jesus beckons His followers to a path that is far form the easy road." Honesly, once we take a step in that direction I find myself grasping for safe ground, something I can understand and even control. (we're here now, in Madison, now hand me that church planting manual and let's go) But as Erwin McManus puts it, "God would never chose for us safety at the cost of significance". Gene and I are praying to always know the heart of the Father, follow more closely and and not be afraid to find out where that will take us. We desire to be consumed by the presence of a passionate and compassionate God and go where He sends us, to whom He sends us, for what He desires to accomplish.
So, that's what God is doing in the ReynoldsFam - challenging us to hear His voice and obey - the "barabarian" way.
GO GOD! Any other "barbarians" out there trying to find their way on this adventure?
4 comments:
In an effort to distract myself from my broken heart, I decided to spend a little time on the internet and realized I hadn't looked at your blog in a while.
I have often wished for a "nice" spiritual gift, something that to me would seem simple, safe and appreciated - you know, hospitality. Why can't I love and be called to throw parties and make people feel all warm and fuzzy and that could be my spiritual duty - my sacrifice - to create a masterful souffle for a lonely church planter. I am sure we have spent many a night discussing our lot.
You know how I despise mercy and as I read your questions about bucking the American spiritual system, I am reminded of the prophet in us. yet it's who I am and its who you are but I don't like it very much - I will respect your readers but you know what I would like to say.
I want him to be my forever little boy. I don't want to love him for a little while, do my part and let God be sovereign in his life and mine. As I sat in court yesterday all I could think was "I can't do this". Why does God ask us to do this stuff?
Why do we feel so compelled to follow Him into and through this stuff? Why not walk away? Why not just say no? The songs say it will be worth it, there's a book that says it will, there is a part of my heart that says it will but there are parts of my heart that say a lot of things that I doubt are true or I have learned from experience aren't true. sheesh (to quote you)
Why can't it hurt to do it wrong and be pleasant to do it right? Why can't all the folks pursuing the American dream and worrying about what style of fabric should adorn their new sanctuary be heartbroken and those of us giving our hearts and lives away be filled with joy or peace that passes understanding and circumstances. Where is this joy, where is this peace - there was no peace in that courtroom, not for me, not for this little boy.
Shawn, you should share your yogurt thing with the rest of the readers, I'm certain they - as I have been many times - will be inspired!
Hey, this blog and then the book really encouraged me with a loving swift kick in the pants. I've been "instituionalized" in my mindset a little to long. On a side note, Lucas did redeem himself a bit with this last of the Star Wars, didn't he.
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