I was challenged recently by a friend regarding the nature of my sometimes provocative statements. Specifically we were speaking about a recent blog titled 'Church and the Beast within'. The provocation in this blog lay in the link between Church and the spirit of anti-Christ, enshrined in the idea of the Beast of Revelation. As I was challenged, and I reflected back on what I was trying to say, a few thoughts came to mind.
Firstly I have to recognise that sometimes I do go out of my way to be provocative (no shock there)! Often my aim is to provoke people by some outrageous statement, which hopefully leads them into an exploration of why they were shocked, and to consider the points being made in the whole article. However, I realise that sometimes it's not the content that matters, but the headline! What do my headlines say to people? Are they provoked to exploration of the subject, or do they just get peeved off with the headline. I think if we are fair, we are probably all guilty of skimming the headline and not fully engaging with the text, so I feel there is a lesson in here for me.
Secondly, I have to ask myself is deliberate provocation a healthy thing. My modus operandi in posting provocative statements is to challenge people's perceptions. I think we have to acknowledge that each one of us has an unconscious bias toward certain things in our lives. As someone who is passionately exploring faith, I'm interested in what unconscious bias we may have when it comes to Jesus, faith and religion. I hope it's clear I don't have all the answers, and don't pretend to have my theology all neatly sorted. But I do have questions! And I do have an earnest and genuine desire to listen to and engage with others as we jointly explore what it means to be Christ followers in our context. I also like to challenge and be challenged!
So I'm left with the question of just how much is too much?! Does a provocative statement draw people deeper into the conversation, or does it turn them off? How much do I gain in being deliberately provocative, and just what do I lose? I recognise that for some, my deliberate provocativeness can be a barrier to what I'm saying. So in one sense I'm left contemplating how I absorb this and let it filter through my thoughts. On the other hand, there's a sense that I don't want to conform just to make people comfortable. Human history is littered with such stories, and by and large, it's not the conformists who make most impact on human history, but those who stood their ground and fought for what they truly believed in, even going out of their way to be non-conformist! Perhaps somewhere here there is a balance to be found? Lord help me to see it.
Tuesday, 25 June 2013
Tuesday, 16 April 2013
Some lives are worth more than others...
"Why is a Kundunese life worth less to me than an American life?"- Pres. Bartlett
"I don't know, Sir, but it is."- Will Bailey
[The West Wing, season 4 episode 13]
This quote, taken from one of the greatest television shows of our time, sums up in only the way someone like Aaron Sorkin could, just what is wrong with our society. Tonight, as I watched the news feeds, Facebook and Twitter, it was hard to escape that a terrible tragedy had taken place. What should have been a day of fun and celebration has tragically ended with death and injury.
My heart goes out to the people of Boston, it truly does. And some measure of faith in humanity was restored as I witnessed people running toward danger in an effort to help. However, something else dawned on me this evening-something as terrible as the scenes witnessed in Boston. And simply it's this; as a culture, we have become so self-absorbed that we often fail to see beyond our own needs, our own desires and our own tragedies. As news feeds were relaying minute by minute accounts of the scenes in Boston, very few were talking about horrors elsewhere. In Iraq today, another bomb killed dozens and injured hundreds. Not that I want to compare the scale of tragedies, but why was it that we were getting blow by blow accounts of events in Boston, but very little was said about Iraq? Why does it seem that our western tragedies eclipse the tragedy elsewhere? Why is an "American" (western) life worth more than an Iraqi life? Or Afghan? Or African?
What does it say about us as a society that we are outraged/shocked/upset when one of our own die, but hundreds could die elsewhere, and by sheer virtue of geography, we give little thought to it? The events in Boston today will have scarred a community and left families devastated at the loss and maiming of loved ones. My prayers are with them. But they won't be the only ones whose world will have been torn apart today. And they won't be the last! Tragedy surrounds us in this world. We must be careful we don't become complacent or ignorant to it, just because it often isn't on our doorsteps!
"I don't know, Sir, but it is."- Will Bailey
[The West Wing, season 4 episode 13]
This quote, taken from one of the greatest television shows of our time, sums up in only the way someone like Aaron Sorkin could, just what is wrong with our society. Tonight, as I watched the news feeds, Facebook and Twitter, it was hard to escape that a terrible tragedy had taken place. What should have been a day of fun and celebration has tragically ended with death and injury.
My heart goes out to the people of Boston, it truly does. And some measure of faith in humanity was restored as I witnessed people running toward danger in an effort to help. However, something else dawned on me this evening-something as terrible as the scenes witnessed in Boston. And simply it's this; as a culture, we have become so self-absorbed that we often fail to see beyond our own needs, our own desires and our own tragedies. As news feeds were relaying minute by minute accounts of the scenes in Boston, very few were talking about horrors elsewhere. In Iraq today, another bomb killed dozens and injured hundreds. Not that I want to compare the scale of tragedies, but why was it that we were getting blow by blow accounts of events in Boston, but very little was said about Iraq? Why does it seem that our western tragedies eclipse the tragedy elsewhere? Why is an "American" (western) life worth more than an Iraqi life? Or Afghan? Or African?
What does it say about us as a society that we are outraged/shocked/upset when one of our own die, but hundreds could die elsewhere, and by sheer virtue of geography, we give little thought to it? The events in Boston today will have scarred a community and left families devastated at the loss and maiming of loved ones. My prayers are with them. But they won't be the only ones whose world will have been torn apart today. And they won't be the last! Tragedy surrounds us in this world. We must be careful we don't become complacent or ignorant to it, just because it often isn't on our doorsteps!
Friday, 29 March 2013
The Church between the Cross and the Empty Grave
It was a crisp Friday afternoon in November. The people of Dallas had turned out to see their leader, a popular hero to many. Flags were waving, people were smiling and there was a buzz in the air. At 12:29 pm, the leader’s limousine entered Dealey Plaza. Dozens of people were taking pictures or filming the entire procession. Turning down Houston Street, the entire procession passed in front of the book depository, and that’s when the shots rang out. There was confusion, the leader’s bodyguards rushed into action, and the limo sped off to the nearest hospital. By 1pm the leader was dead.
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| JFK=Legend! |
Of course, we know the leader being referred to here was JFK. Many who were alive at the time will be able to tell where they were when they heard the news. Not only was JFK an inspiring politician, but he was a pop icon to many-perhaps one of the first politicians to transcend the sphere of politics into the public consciousness. Of course he had his flaws, but after his assassination JFK ascended even further in the minds of the public. He was a man who dreamed big (he once famously remarked that the USA would put a man on the moon by end of decade), and inspired a generation.
Many loved him, and even his rivals had to acknowledge his popularity to the masses. Imagine for a moment that on the Sunday 24th November, news was broadcast saying that instead of lying in state, the body of JFK had gone missing. Imagine if you will, that over the next few weeks, sightings of JFK were reported by dozens of people, his family and closest advisors included. And imagine that only a few weeks later, this much loved politician was sighted, ascending into heaven. Of course, none of this happened, but what might these events have done to the popularity and legacy of JFK?
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| What Easter seems to be about these days! |
Many will know the story of that first Easter. We know that Jesus was betrayed and arrested. That a sham trial was arranged by the Sanhedrin, who were out to get this political and religious firebrand named Jesus. We know that neither King Herod, nor Pilate the Governor could find reason to execute him. And yet we know that on the Friday of Easter, the religious leaders had their way and forced the execution of the innocent man Jesus. This story forms the bedrock of the Christian faith. However, for the Christian the story does not end at the assassination of Jesus. For unlike JFK, Jesus was more than a loved leader, he was God incarnate. And he wasn't just here on Earth to die for us; his mission was to defeat death and hell, and in resurrection, Jesus showed that the power of death had been overcome. On Easter Sunday, the church gathers to celebrate the Empty Grave, a symbol that Death, which was the wages of sin, had been overcome. To celebrate the fact that we follow a risen Lord.
And on that one day, I believe we remember something very important that we sometimes forget the rest of the year. That in the resurrection, Jesus work was complete. We remember that the story of the Cross is not complete until we see the Empty Grave
I think one of the things we sometimes miss in the modern church is the ability to get into the scenarios presented in the Bible and understand them from the very real, visceral perspective of the day! Let's use our imaginary TARDIS to go back to the day after the crucifixion. It was a Sabbath day, so after all the events in Jerusalem the day before, many in the city would have been winding down, spending the day in quiet reflection. We can only wonder how the onlookers might have felt about the crucifixion. Some may have felt anger, or guilt, or shame. Some may not even have cared-they may have seen Jesus as an entertaining teacher, who had some good ideas, but now he was dead and nothing could be done about it-much in the same way we would treat the death of a modern celebrity; from a distance, with a vague and curious interest. But what about the Disciples? Those men and women who had spent the last few years of their life with their Master. Many of them had left their former lives as fishermen, tax collectors and rebels to follow this charismatic Teacher. He had promised them much about the Kingdom to come, and how God would break through the barriers and live with man. And now, he was dead.
Imagine the despair, the heartache, and even the guilt the Disciples must have felt. Imagine the soul searching, the feelings of worthlessness and constant questioning of all they had heard in the years following Jesus. I imagine at that precise moment any passion or enthusiasm for Jesus teachings might have left them, and they maybe felt more than a little let down by Jesus.
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| The Church between the Cross and the Empty Grave? |
For the Disciples, that day between the crucifixion and the resurrection must have been one of the darkest days in their life. Everything they had believed upon becoming followers of Jesus must have seemed so false. The excitement they must have felt when Jesus told stories of the coming Kingdom must have seemed so pointless now. They probably had no will or desire to live out their lives as Disciples. For some, they may have been only days or hours away from giving up and going home to their old lives. And I feel that in many ways, the Church exists in this same place. When we hear that Jesus died for us, and make that choice to follow him, it’s a pretty exciting place for us. We think of all the possibilities open to us, and our hearts swell with anticipation of the things God will do with us and for us and through us. And then we realise that life is difficult, that often the Devil will throw everything he can against us. Instead of thinking of all the things we could do, we give all the reasons for why it cannot be done. We lose heart...we lose focus...we lose the belief that God wants to use us and do great things. In short we lose sight of the Empty Grave!
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| No one is here... |
The Empty Grave tells us that death is overcome. It shows us that impossible has now become possible with God. It shows us that instead of following a dead religion, we follow a risen Lord. When we lose sight of all that, church becomes a thing we do, not a thing we are. When we exist between the Cross and the Empty Grave, we have no passion or enthusiasm for the promises made to us. The 'Church between the Cross and the Empty Grave' is perhaps one of the most dangerous things to happen to the people of God. In such a place, we acknowledge the death of Jesus, but we lose sight of why it was for. Many people make reference to being saved, and it’s a term that makes me cringe. Yes, the actions of Christ on the Cross save us. But Jesus came to this earth and lived as one of us for more than a bus ticket to heaven. John 10 says that Jesus came to give us abundant life. Only through the lens of the Resurrection can we begin to glimpse what this life looks like. It is a life of service (one of the first things Jesus did after resurrection was cook a meal for his disciples); it is a life of passion and belief that God can do the impossible through us. Jesus didn't come to save us from hell, but to restore us to life, as God originally intended it!
In the Bible, God's people are constantly being reminded that they, through the works of God, can achieve great things. Perhaps one of my favorite examples of this in the Gospels is in Matthew 16. Jesus asks his Disciple's who people think he is. They throw a few stock answers at Him, no doubt intended to flatter and impress Jesus. He probes them further and really puts them on the spot, asking them to commit their own opinions. Peter, in a flash of inspiration that surely came from heaven declares that Jesus is the promised Messiah. Interesting moment, no doubt. But it is Jesus' response to Peter which is the most astounding;
"Jesus came back, "God bless you, Simon, son of Jonah! You didn't get that answer out of books or from teachers. My Father in heaven, God himself, let you in on this secret of who I really am. And now I'm going to tell you who you are, really are. You are Peter, a rock. This is the rock on which I will put together my church, a church so expansive with energy that not even the gates of hell will be able to keep it out." (Matt 16:17-18 The Message)
What He is saying is so revolutionary in it's implications and yet I think we have forgotten it, or at least don't want to believe it because it almost seems to good to be true. We are to be a Church so full of energy that even Hell itself won't be able to stand against us. Where is this Church, I hear you ask? I sometimes think this Church has lost itself somewhere between the Cross and the Empty Grave!
I think then there is a challenge here for us! Do we want to exist in that place where we acknowledge the Death of Jesus for us, but do not see the hope of the Resurrection and all that means and demands of us? How do we become a community that lives Church, and not just goes through the motions of a 90 minute event once a week? How do we become a people that believe God does the impossible, and he wants to use us to do it? And how do we live life to the full, sure in the knowledge that Jesus didn't just come to save us from hell, but came to give us life, and that he wants to give it to others too?! There is a whole world out there waiting to see this Church. May God give us the grace and strength to build it!
Monday, 4 March 2013
How good is your eyesight?
"Without Vision the People Perish"
The first time I read this simple statement (from Proverbs 29), it really stood out to me as such an important statement for the Church today. The Message translation says it even better;
"If people can’t see what God is doing,
they stumble all over themselves;
But when they attend to what he reveals,
they are most blessed."
It leads me to ask just what we see God is doing around us. I think if I'm honest, I sometimes struggle to see just exactly what God is doing around me. Lets be honest, in life we get so busy, so caught up in drama, routine, work etc, that sometimes we lose focus on the important stuff. We've all been there. Furthermore, like many in my generation, I have a really awful cynical streak that runs right through my core. The 20s and 30s age group are so hard to impress. We are so hard to get motivated and excited. We've seen and heard it all before. Bright lights and loud noises won't fool us. You won't pull the wool over our eyes with your parlour tricks and emotive theatre. And in some way, I find myself really sad that I have this cynicism, for the long and short of it is that I often find myself doubting that God can really deliver. Sure, in the small ways he is there. I sometimes feel Him speaking to me through prayer and the bible. There are times when I even see Him moving in what we do in church (both discipleship and outreach). But I was reminded recently of how over the years I have lost some of my belief that God can move in BIG ways. I mean in the casting out demons, healing the sick, prophesying kinda ways. I mean the ways in which when you see Him move, goosebumps raise on your flesh. The ways in which your knees knock together because the power and presence of God is so palpable. I've allowed myself to become blind to what He is doing. And the result? Often I find myself stumbling about, barely achieving much!
God wants me to have perfect vision. He wants you to have perfect vision too. If you have, praise God! If you haven't, 'attend to what he reveals'! I've often heard people ask what our vision is. I've sat in many 'strategic' meetings where church leadership have asked this question. Repeatedly I find myself coming back to what Jesus said when questioned about the most important commandment (Matthew 22). When asked to sum up just what is important he made two simple statements; love God and love others. I have a real tendency to over complicate things in life! But here, even I cannot escape the simplicity of what Jesus is saying. He goes further...
37 Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’[e] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[f] 40 The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”
See what he is saying?! Everything, the entire law and demands of the prophets, hang on these two simple commands. All your religion, all your planning, all your passion, all your vision. EVERYTHING! In all that we do, we must be able to measure up to those simple commands. Does your worship show love to God? In your financial plans (both individually and corporately), do you recognise and respect others? In your service to church (volunteering at youth club, sitting on a committee, serving the tea and coffee) are you loving God and loving others? I think that if we are honest, sometimes the answer is no. Sometimes we get so caught up in routine, or doing things just to be noticed, or because we feel obligated to, that we sometimes forget our simple task is to love God and love others. Of course, how this manifests itself in your context could be radically different from how it manifests in mine. However the challenge is as simple as it is vast. Our vision, if it is to align with God's, is simply to love. In a world where love is in such short supply, it is so important that Church recognises this!
So maybe the question shouldn't be 'how good is your eyesight'? Maybe the question has to be 'how good are you at simply loving God and people'? Please Lord, give us the strength and the capacity to love and in doing so may we see the people and communities around us changed by simple, radical, courageous acts of love.
The first time I read this simple statement (from Proverbs 29), it really stood out to me as such an important statement for the Church today. The Message translation says it even better;
"If people can’t see what God is doing,
they stumble all over themselves;
But when they attend to what he reveals,
they are most blessed."
It leads me to ask just what we see God is doing around us. I think if I'm honest, I sometimes struggle to see just exactly what God is doing around me. Lets be honest, in life we get so busy, so caught up in drama, routine, work etc, that sometimes we lose focus on the important stuff. We've all been there. Furthermore, like many in my generation, I have a really awful cynical streak that runs right through my core. The 20s and 30s age group are so hard to impress. We are so hard to get motivated and excited. We've seen and heard it all before. Bright lights and loud noises won't fool us. You won't pull the wool over our eyes with your parlour tricks and emotive theatre. And in some way, I find myself really sad that I have this cynicism, for the long and short of it is that I often find myself doubting that God can really deliver. Sure, in the small ways he is there. I sometimes feel Him speaking to me through prayer and the bible. There are times when I even see Him moving in what we do in church (both discipleship and outreach). But I was reminded recently of how over the years I have lost some of my belief that God can move in BIG ways. I mean in the casting out demons, healing the sick, prophesying kinda ways. I mean the ways in which when you see Him move, goosebumps raise on your flesh. The ways in which your knees knock together because the power and presence of God is so palpable. I've allowed myself to become blind to what He is doing. And the result? Often I find myself stumbling about, barely achieving much!
God wants me to have perfect vision. He wants you to have perfect vision too. If you have, praise God! If you haven't, 'attend to what he reveals'! I've often heard people ask what our vision is. I've sat in many 'strategic' meetings where church leadership have asked this question. Repeatedly I find myself coming back to what Jesus said when questioned about the most important commandment (Matthew 22). When asked to sum up just what is important he made two simple statements; love God and love others. I have a real tendency to over complicate things in life! But here, even I cannot escape the simplicity of what Jesus is saying. He goes further...
37 Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’[e] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[f] 40 The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”
See what he is saying?! Everything, the entire law and demands of the prophets, hang on these two simple commands. All your religion, all your planning, all your passion, all your vision. EVERYTHING! In all that we do, we must be able to measure up to those simple commands. Does your worship show love to God? In your financial plans (both individually and corporately), do you recognise and respect others? In your service to church (volunteering at youth club, sitting on a committee, serving the tea and coffee) are you loving God and loving others? I think that if we are honest, sometimes the answer is no. Sometimes we get so caught up in routine, or doing things just to be noticed, or because we feel obligated to, that we sometimes forget our simple task is to love God and love others. Of course, how this manifests itself in your context could be radically different from how it manifests in mine. However the challenge is as simple as it is vast. Our vision, if it is to align with God's, is simply to love. In a world where love is in such short supply, it is so important that Church recognises this!
So maybe the question shouldn't be 'how good is your eyesight'? Maybe the question has to be 'how good are you at simply loving God and people'? Please Lord, give us the strength and the capacity to love and in doing so may we see the people and communities around us changed by simple, radical, courageous acts of love.
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