One thing I would like this blog to do is draw attention to some of the silliness that exists in our world, inside the church and out. So… feel free to send me links to news that, maybe doesn’t surprise you that it ever happened, but definitely surprises you that it still happens today. It makes you scrunch your face and say, “still”?
If I may suggest the first inductee. Straight out of in North Carolina. Pastor Marc, the floor is yours. A good old fashioned … or tearing.
Now I am certainly not suggesting that I agree with everything that occurs in our world today. Far from it. Our world is broken and we see the indications of that all around us. But I would suggest that Jesus has laid out a different way to engage that brokenness. I would say that Jesus’ way is harder, actually, than what Pastor Marc has done – although I bet he would disagree.
What we see in Jesus was an example of someone who meaningfully engaged what was wrong in our world, called it what it was, unmasked it and yet did so in a way that people were drawn to him and the Father in the process. And now he calls those of us who call ourselves his apprentices to do the same. To walk that line carefully between accepting everything at face value and simply circling our wagons and condemning the whole thing.
Even though I am having a bit of fun with what they did, I would be dishonest if I didn’t acknowledge that I have done similar things. No burnings (or tearings, it would seem) mind you, but in the past I have used that same mindset. I have felt competition with the world around me, instead of compassion. I have felt superior to those around me, instead of taking the attitude of Christ the servant.
I have tried to put those things behind me as I turn over more of my heart to Jesus, which gives me more time to make other mistakes.
