Is being a Christian about “being good”? That is what many people think and so it is quick hop, skip and a jump to see that most Christians aren’t good.
Humanity is a mess. And Christians are part of that mess. If Christianity is mostly understood (and I think it is) as being good and nice, then anyone can see we are hypocrites.
But is that what Christianity is? Is it a faith of rules and regulations?
There is much to talk about in this chapter, but for me, it is a chapter that goes back to our core—what is following Jesus about? Rules and Regulations? Or surrendering to the God we meet in Jesus Christ and offering radical hospitality to everyone? These are very different ways to look at things—very different.
I have a family member who was pressuring another family member to be a Christian—his approach was the soft sell, “Christianity is just about being a nice person,” he said, “You want to be a nice person don’t you?”
Actually, I don’t think that is what it is about at all.
I recently skimmed a book (a bad habit with library books) that had this amazing line, it said that following Jesus was about “the end of striving.” I related to that very much. In Jesus, I find the one who says, “give up the perfectionism, give up trying to hold it all together, lean into me and let me remake you—I will change you and show you how to really love.”
Being real about who we are and what we are dealing with shows us to be regular people who need God. This is what we have to offer others—nothing more or less.
I agree with the need for leadership, but as a layperson I see it as a collaborative effort among those clergy and laity zealous for a vibrant Christ filled Church. We know what needs to be done, it is as plain as the nose on our faces, do we have the passion to do it though? Who feels the heat? Who is willing to be consumed to move the Church forward? Indeed for while God equips us richly to minister, preparing a bountiful hearth, it is only by our will that the flame of the Holy Spirit can set us ablaze.
ReplyDeleteWhat do we want? While it is better to lite one candle than to curse the darkness, it is better still to gather & organize the candles and create a more powerful illuminating light. Who will step up and organize?
Gerry, thank you. YES--this is an issue for laity and clergy. While grateful for many of the folks who have stepped up, I know that in my current appointment the lack of lay leadership is a huge issue and has significantly slowed down the ability of the church to move forward. As clergy I try to keep in mind how busy laity are with work, family, etc., but at the same time I see how low a priority the church can be for our leaders who find other activities more their focus. I struggle to know how to hold the line for what the church needs from its leaders as I seek to grow leaders, hoping they will catch the vision and step up. It is at best complex. Again, thanks for your words--I have always known you to be a model lay leader and local church leader.
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