More That What We Make Out

It saddens me that church life and being a Christian can be perceived as being preoccupied with a weekly meeting.

It saddens me because I think this preoccupation misses the point by a significant margin.

I sit in such weekly gatherings with decent people who are well meaning folks, polite and friendly enough, but who are evidently so caught up in the routine of work and home that going to church is a release and relief to them as well as a time to let someone else do all the work.

Following Jesus is a lot more than that.  By how it consumes us it should shape what we do when we meet and that should render the once-a-week big-meet-to-see-someone-else-do-the-work mentality redundant.

Following Jesus is so all consuming that whatever work we do is part of the mission and discipleship opportunity. It means we desperately need help from brothers and sisters EVERY DAY (as long as it’s called ‘today’ according the writer of Hebrews) for encouragement and stimulation in doing that which is pleasing to God in all of life.  It means we desperately need to help brothers and sisters EVERY DAY (as long as it’s called ‘today’ according … hey haven’t you read this before?) for encouragement and stimulation in doing that which is pleasing to God in all of life.

That attitude means we should find it hard to meet, whenever we meet, and not have something to offer.  Engaging and walking in the Spirit day after day must mean there is something you have to share, must mean there’s something you have to offer on the journey.  It doesn’t have to be elaborate, it need not be eloquent.  It doesn’t even have to match someone’s idea of the profound.  It is what happens when you’re living life in Christ.

It makes me all the more uncomfortable to just sit in a service where the idea of my participation is to participate in giving money and belting out the pre-ordained songs in the order of service.  I appreciate it’s the accepted norm.  I’ve got that.  It’s just not all there is to life in Christ and His community and it almost stifles what I’ve got to offer and what anyone else has to offer.  Yet it comes to my point again, that it’s not just a one day a week deal.  I don’t have to sit frustrated at not getting it out and sharing with someone.  I get the chance to do that EVERY DAY (as long as it’s called … you should get this bit by now).

I receive it every day in an email, a text, a blog, a phone call, a tweet, a conversation, a meal, a drink – God’s people in all manners of communication get to me, and I am compelled to consider again what Christ requires of me in all of life.

That challenges me all the more to challenge other disciples all the more to realise that life in Christ is a lot more that what we make out.

For His Name’s Sake

Shalom

dmcd