Looking Toward Sunday

Over the years I've been intrigued by the idea that what we need as followers of Christ is a transformation of our desires.  The idea comes from some of the great thinkers of the church--Gregory of Nyssa, Augustine and Aquinas to name a few.

The thought works like this:  To be human is to crave.  What motivates us, what keeps moving is our desires.  The problem is those desire have become distorted.  We become attached to all the wrong things.  Or you might say we love the gifts of God more than we love God, turning his gifts into idols.  This distorts our life in countless ways often making us anxious and mean.

The only ultimate satisfaction our cravings will find is in God.  Our desires are unlimited; they're infinite.  Nothing can match our infinite desires except an infinite God.

Paul points us in this direction in Philippians.   "Not that I have already obtained this or have already reached the goal, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.  Beloved, I do not consider that I have made it my own; but this one thing I do, forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call in Christ Jesus." (Philippians, 3:12-14, NRSV)  The word for "straining forward" (Gk: epektasis) is an important one for Gregory of Nyssa.  He taught that this word captured the Christian's life well.  The Christian is one who is straining forward, reaching out, wanting more of the infinite God.  

It makes sense. Once you taste the goodness of God, you want more.  Your infinite desires can only be matched by a God of infinite love and goodness.  I pray your heart will experience God's goodness and grace and so be transformed as you move from one degree of glory to the next.

A Modest Proposal--At Least Listen

Last week we talked a bit about the fifth commandment--"honor your father and mother."  The command establishes a hierarchy for ancient Israel.  It provides order; and it is the mechanism through the faith is passed on (working from the assumption that one generational is honorable, of course).

The command also invites us to consider others we are called to honor.  Hebrews 13 instructs us to obey and submit to our spiritual leaders.  1 Peter calls us to honor the emperor and our masters, even when we are treated poorly.

I believe that all of this is a little troubling to our modern ears.  We have been trained to believe that we should be free from all authority and tradition.  No doubt, this modern movement has created much good in our world.  There were beliefs that needed to be challenged, superstitions that needed to be set aside and corrupt leaders in need of correction.   Yet, I fear we've taken all of this a little too.

Now, we believe that we can be our own authority in matters of faith and life.  This is part of the struggle some have with church.  They state, I don't want anyone telling me that there might be a better way to live or a better way to believe.  I want to be free to forge my own path.  I want to interpret the Bible on my own.

Again, this stance has its place in some circumstances.  However, as a way of life, it is dangerous.  When we are left to ourselves we become less than our true selves.  As humans we are really good at self-deception.  We can easily paint ourselves with the best colors, glossing over some of our deepest faults.  Without the help of others guiding us, we can remain stuck in ways that hurt us and others.  Furthermore, wisdom is usually passed down from one generation to the next.

Therefore my modest proposal is that we at start by listening well.  Listen carefully to those who have gone before, to those who have lived the life well.  Listen carefully to loving friends and faithful leaders.

Jesus says beware of how you listen:  "Then pay attention to how you listen; for to those who have, more will be given; and from those who do not have, even what they seem to have will be taken away."  The point is, those who lean in hungry to learn are those have and receive more; those who fold their arms, roll their eyes and shut their ears--either out of boredom or arrogance--are those who lose what they thought they had.  One is blessed, the other is not.

Another way to put it is to say that if we truly want to grow in the wisdom and knowledge of God's son, Jesus Christ, then we will be hungry--hungry to learn, hungry to listen and honor those who are truly honorable.

Let's listen well then, longing to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ.

As Smart As A Mule

“Let's start with that most offensive of mule stereotypes, namely that they are stubborn. Nothing could be further from the truth, according to mule expert John Hauer, author of The Natural Superiority of Mules (Skyhorse Publishing) just out in its second edition. As he explains, mules aren't stubborn. They're simply too intelligent to do stupid things. They also have a powerful self-protective streak. Load up a mule with too much weight and it'll refuse to budge. But when you lighten the load to a point the mule deems acceptable, it'll get moving sure enough. Another example: When a mule is exhausted after a long day on the trail, it'll stop. Stubbornness? No. Self-preservation.  By contrast, a horse can be ridden to death . . . “  "(The Misunderstood Mule,” Saturday Evening Post, May 1, 2014)

Perhaps this quotes speaks to us about the wisdom of the Sabbath.  Last Sunday we looked at the fourth command from Exodus 20--the invitation to take a Sabbath.  I suggested the Sabbath is a liberating practice that should shape the way we live in the world.   

One of the things I discovered is the richness of the Sabbath.  The word Sabbath means "to stop."  Accordingly, everyone and everything is supposed to rest in Israel--workers, resident aliens, animals, and even the land (Leviticus 23 & 25).  This resting should shape the way we live.  We cease from our restless anxiety and greed. Then, we honor God with others by holding a "holy convocation" (Leviticus 23:3).  

How else could Israel remember whose they are and who they are?  Put another way, to keep the first three commandments of being rightly related to God and to keep the last five commandments of loving our neighbors well, Israel needed a Sabbath to remind them of their unique call in life.  They needed a weekly break to focus on God.   

What's the bare minimum for us?  I would suggest you consider the following:  First, you should be in church every week, unless you're sick or out of town.  Make gathering with the people of God a priority and a joyous routine.  Where else can you go to hear such wonderful words like love, righteousness, justice, peace, hope and faith?  Secondly, find a way to cease from your everyday activities to be attentive to God and others in an extravagant manner-- i.e., a prayer walk, a dinner with friends, an afternoon of rest and reading. These two times might combine; they might not.  We're not called to rules but to practices that help us grow in Christ.    

Nonetheless, there is too much wisdom in the Sabbath to dismiss it.  The only question remains, are we as smart as a mule?  

Does Everything Have a Reason?

You've probably heard it said a couple of hundred times that "everything happens for a reason."  In my experience, Christians and non-Christians alike espouse this naturalistic philosophy.  The aphorism is used when the unexpected happens and when hopes are frustrated.   But is it true?  Does everything happen for a reason?

It seems to me there are some events of unspeakable horror that defy any reasonable explanation.  Loss of loved ones, wars, starving children and victims of abuse all represent situations where it would be nearly impossible for me to state, "everything happens for a reason."  We must not forget there is evil in this world.  Creation is good but broken, and therefore, disorder (irrationality) will win some battles.    

On the other hand, it there is a rational order to this universe that is moving all things toward victory.  We might call this providence.  We've all experienced God's guidance--a closed door that spared us some trouble or a frustrated plan that worked for our good.   Goodness does follow us and lead us in ways that surprise us.  Yet, we must be careful.  Such a belief can't be embraced as a solvent to everything bad.  It's not that easy.  

Regardless, there is one truth we can affirm.   We believe that God is working for our good.  It doesn't mean that he is behind everything or is responsible for the evil we experience or even that everything happens for a reason.  Rather we believe that God works in all situations for our good as he leads us home.  Paul put it like this:  "We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him."  God isn't necessarily the direct cause of all things, but he works in all things.  For that we can celebrate today!  

Leisure Time and The End For Which We're Created

"How strange, then, to the modern ear that Aristotle answer his own question, 'What ought we to do when at leisure?' with the response:  'Clearly we ought not to be amusing ourselves, for then amusement would be the end of life.'  For Aristotle, we only know how to spend our leisure time if we know what our lives are for and the end to which our lives are to be directed."  (Dunnington, Addiction and Virtue, 114-115).  

These words are indeed challenging in our current climate.  It seems as if one can easily live merely to be entertained.  We are consummate consumers, continually searching for another experience, another show, and more excitement.  As Christians we should be people of substance and depth, longing to be shaped and transformed by the Truth.  

It would be fun for us to think about what we do with our leisure time and what it says about what we truly value.  This question is more critical at a time when church attendance is waning and the amount of time people spend watching TV is increasing.  

Granted we don't want to fall prey to legalism, where we assign artificial standards and regulate other's lives, but perhaps God's grace is calling us to something more than just living to keep ourselves entertained.  

Peace.