Reject the West, Embrace the Truth

Well, I'm done with this quarter. Yes, I frequently update this blog!

Some thoughts before I go to bed.
1) I don't always feel like it but the feeling is slowly returning, a feeling of joy and thankfulness that Jesus Christ died for me too and that he loves me and that he is going to see me through this time in my life — of which I can only really describe as a re-hardening of my heart.

2) Christians and the Church need to drop this Western view of self, purpose, vision, church and other people. Notions like making projects out of people, being purposeful about sharing Jesus with people, pushing one's self to advance particular aspects of who Jesus is or what the church is about... it is unnatural and it can make others feel un-human. In short, there are other ways to be true to who God is and be true to Jesus, the Savior we love so much. In short, the West believes in the division of roles and occupations for individuals such as "I am a teacher" or "I am a police officer." This may be how the West works but one can't say about (for lack of better words) the economy of Christian Faith, I'm the pastor and I fulfill my role to take care of your spiritual needs and because you are the CEO, you pay me back with tithes. There is some division of gifting and roles but no "outsourcing" of the faith. Further in this construction, you don't exist to make people projects or to walk into a room and tell the Lord, "this is what I will do for you here, I am so thankful that you're using me as a tool (or accepting my work) to bring you Glory and advance your Kingdom." This paradigm is folly and heretical and must stop.

3) Flipping the West upside down — Christ transforms us and flips everything upside down — the Western perspective of 'now I'll do something purposeful for God' is naive, misguided, and can be damaging to you and others. It isn't so much about what I should "do" but it is more about seeking and following Jesus and watching as the rest follows. To do this, you must destroy all preconceived notions of what seeking and following Jesus are supposed to look like. Don't seek to hatch plans about how we'll now purposefully strive to do X, Y, and Z and then ask God to bless it — this is so Western, this is so deceitful! Instead, pursue Jesus and move as he leads you, period.

4) Preaching the Gospel: without words - If you want a heart for others, start praying for them secretly. If you want to reach people, start by being friends. Have no more expectation than to be friends. Share what Jesus has done in your life only if asked. Share how Jesus thinks of them only if asked. People are not projects, they're people. Don't insert your life into others just to share Jesus with them — this is hypocritical, a bad witness, and will bring defame the Father. Live a life transformed that brings no shame or disgrace to the Father but rather that is a life of thankfulness, a life of Honor and service to the Lord. In the words of St. Francis of Assisi, "Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words."

5) Preaching the Gospel: with words - Be bold with the Gospel when such time presents its self and in places where it is acceptable but do not push the Gospel onto people when the time is not right. Good times to be bold are in situations where people come to you wanting to know more and perhaps at other opportune times. Examples include offering prayer for people in a park or on campus, and even preaching about Jesus in a public place so long as you're preaching about the goodness of Jesus, not Jesus and something else (i.e. conservatism, doctrine, dogma, etc.).

6) Things have their place... The Church: a true witness of the Lord, declaring Truth by scripture and deed, through relationships and charity. Preaching nothing short of the Truth, nothing short of Jesus. Seeking to chase after everything God would have for us. Seeking to display the full manifold wisdom of God!

7) We live in such a narcissistic generation. Columbus, this city I reside in, is full of up and coming young people who are clamoring to be more attractive, desirable, educated, and get their butts out of this city to pursue greener grass somewhere else. I am one of these prideful, narcissistic people. There is no love, no time to listen, to desire to pray, no desire to make room for the new people... none of these things unless we think we have something to gain such as brownie points with God, acceptance in our groups, or some other vain desire. Our lives, our churches and our small groups need to be places where there is room for new people. We need to always be down a few relationships, a few hobbies (computer games are such a waste of time) and the like so there's space for those new people as the Lord brings them. Pray for a heart to want to seek out and love new people, all new people including the uncomfortable, the outcast, the unattractive. Pray for the eyes of Jesus, to see them for who God sees them. If you're heart doesn't want to do this, doesn't want to love the undesirable then do nothing else but start to pray about your heart..., etc.

If we want to lose the narcissism, we must start living lives where we are denying it. If we want churches that exude God's love, we've got to start being those people. Do not argue with people, but love them into a place where they can choose Christ — should they desire. It is there choice from our perspective, regardless of your views on predestination, so let it be their choice. Don't make it for them, don't force it for them, don't push Christ on to people. Let them see the Savior and decide that He is what they desire. I'm tired of feeling like I go to a narcissistic church full of narcissistic people. My church isn't either of these things but in a society like ours, we have to try extra hard to be a true witness and my prayer is that Christ develops that love for others in our hearts and transforms our community. I can try to explain to people about what it looks like to have a loving and hospitable community (that is a group of people who are loving and hospitable and unified in Christ) but what good would it be for me to tell those who don't desire it in their hearts as a natural expression of Love for the Father? When we try to do it on our own, by our own leading, what will that self-righteousness look like, smell like, and be like to the Father, to others, to ourselves. Deceit is a strong word that may not be strong enough. Remember, your self-righteous works are like dirty rags to me.

Let us seek Jesus and all else will find its place.