A Time to Reflect . . .

Brennan Manning poses a very interesting challenge. Let's listen in:

"To ascertain where you really are with the Lord, recall what saddened you the past month. Was is it the realization that you do not love Jesus enough? That you did not seek his face in prayer often enough? That you did not care for his people enough? Or did you get depressed over a lack of respect, criticism from an authority figure, your finances, a lack of friends, fears about the future, or your bulging waistline? Conversely, what gladdened you the past month? Reflection on your election to the Christian community? The joy of saying slowly, 'Abba, Father?' The afternoon you stole away for two hours with on the gospel as you companion? A small victory over selfishness? Or were the sources of your joy a new car, a Brooks Brothers suit, a great date, great sex, a raise, or a loss of four inches from your waistline." (The Importance of Being Foolish, 2005)

Convicting, isn't it? Advent is a time for reflection. We're called to think about our lives in light of Christ's love and truth. Brennan Manning suggests, with this quote, that we need to audit our lives and ponder upon the question, what makes us happy? Learning to love more faithfully? Spending time with the hurting? Helping those in need? Or, getting our way? Another pair of shoes? Another app for the iphone? What do we celebrate?

As I've often said before, conversion is a transformation of our desires. With God's faithful guidance and empowerment, our desires are redirected toward a noble end--the glorification of God and the enjoyment of His goodness through creation and community. Something to think about.

Peace.

Love and Knowledge

When thinking about the day of the Lord, Paul has one simple desire: He wants his churches to be holy in love (1 Thessalonians 3, Philippians 1). In last Sunday's text (Phil. 1), Paul prays for the church's love to increase in knowledge and insight, making them discerning and equipped to be holy and blameless on the day of Christ's return.

Paul continues this thought throughout his letter. In chapter 2.1-3, he calls them to be of the same mind, having experienced the goodness of God. Then he holds up Christ's sacrifice as an example and calls the church to have the same mind (2.5). He also calls those who are mature to be of the same mind (3.15). And when addressing two women leaders who can't get along, Paul urges them to have the same mind in the Lord (4.2).

All of this suggests that our love needs to be sharpened by a renewed understanding of what it means to love and live together in fellowship. I believe this poses a challenge for us because our understanding of love is rather anemic. We love just about everything in our culture, mostly that which makes us feel good. I love ice-cream, we scream. I love to run. I love chocolate. I love American idol. Don't you just love that leather coach. I love my new house. On and on the list could go.

Unfortunately, this feeling-based love has little to do with Christian love. Christian love is sacrificial. It is a love that seeks the well-being of others, a love that considers others first. Christian love is not sympathy or pity, both of which tend toward mere sentiment, but it is compassionate, which moves toward action. Christian love is deep, tough, substantive, and gracious.

This compare and contrast example is only one idea. There are other ways in which our understanding of what it means to be loving needs to be audited and challenged. So the call remains--we must let our love increase in knowledge and insight so that we can love as God has called us to love.

Peace,

David S.