Politically Homeless

I got the term from a talk given by Michael Wear through the Q platform. You can watch it here. His talk is excellent and gives a powerful framework for the current issues facing America. Below are a few quotes that resonated with me, with some commentary.

"Politics and religion are two topics we are not supposed to discuss at the dinner table...for opposing reasons. People don't want to talk about politics because they hold their views too tightly. Too much of their identity is staked in politics. People don't want to talk about religion because they are haunted by the idea that they do not stake their lives in spiritual things enough"

I totally agree. Perhaps if we discussed these more, we might learn and change more. I believe we would do better to allow these taboo subjects back to the dinner table. Yes, the conversations will be tough, heated and maybe a little damaging. Not talking about them is causing far greater damage, maybe even irreparable damage - to our society, to our families, to our churches and to our souls

"Politics is causing great spiritual harm in America"

One needs only to look at any comment feed on social media to see this harm. But, if that isn't enough look at what Elizabeth Baker has to say about the spiritual harm done to her and others through the recent political past. Read her comments here.

"Americans are going to politics to get their spiritual needs met"

Politics cannot fill those needs, but to get our vote, they will offer to fill them. And so we run to our political platforms quoting Scripture and justifications believing that the answers to our problems lie in the size of government, the programs of government and the opportunities of government. Churches fall into playing this same game. From churches that promote a specific party view, to churches that refuse to engage in politics at all, Americans are left with few choices to consider alternatives to what politics offers. We would do well to engage in discussion about other avenues to meet our spiritual needs and why politics isn't the answer. But to diagnose this problem and to treat it we realize the following truth

"The state of our politics reflects the state of our souls"

This is true because we allow politicians to manipulate our most intimate beliefs because we make them available to them to be manipulated.

"The problem is not that we take politics too seriously. It’s that we take politics seriously in all of the wrong ways."

Politics is not the spiritual home of our souls. It is not where we find deepest belonging, transcendence, and solutions to our personal and corporate ills among other things. Sure, they offer those things, but their offerings are insubstantial and elusive. In fact, those offerings will change for political expediency to fit the times, AND, our beliefs change "to fit the moment" as Wear says.

"Christians are obliged to work for the benefit and flourishing of all people, whether or not they see the world as we do, or agree with us in any way. A Christian's obligation is not to their tribe, but to their God, a God who cares deeply for all people."

If we truly believe we are in relationship with the God of the entire universe, seen and unseen. If we truly believe he has given us the mandate to care for this world, as reflected in Genesis, then this is true. Paul made this case to the Colossians: "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Colossians 3:23-24 (NIV).

"If a Christian's political ideas and actions are not intended toward the good of their enemies, then their political witness is not Christian in its character. When it is, then everyone benefits."

This is probably one of the more provocative statements Wear makes. But, I cannot fault it. If we are only working for the good of believers, then we fail to understand the simplest concepts of the work of Jesus. "While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8 (NIV). We weren't in his tribe, we were enemies (for lack of a better word), yet he worked for our good. Why would we do any less for others?

"Politics is an essential forum in which we can love our neighbor."

If it is an essential forum, then Christians need to engage in political action and discussion. I believe it is an essential forum. When our votes determine the health, wealth, safety, education, and general well being of our neighbor then it is an essential forum for love. We must talk about this more, not less.

"Am I politically homeless?"

Yes, I am!

"The crisis for Christians is not that we are politically homeless, the crisis is that we ever thought we could make our home in politics at all. Our home is with him who has made his home in us."

I may be politically homeless, but that's ok, my home is somewhere else. But, trust me, I will engage in politics, through discussion and action, through word and vote, because it is one way to love my neighbor. I will fail my neighbor in this, but I will do my level best.

For those interested, I am engaged in a group choosing to learn how to be more involved in healthy political discussion and action. The table includes a broad spectrum on the political divide, but not broad enough. The table is open for more people. If you want in, let me know.

If you want to discuss the Wear video, host a dinner with others, contact Q Forums for discussion questions, and start talking!

Sinking Sand

I recently had the privilege of listening to Andy Stanley speak about his new book Irresistible. The focus of the day was on the singular event that defines Christianity.

Andy spent the opening session highlighting how many people, myself included, work under a faulty assumption: that the Bible is the foundation of the Christian faith. The follow on from this is the following: as the Bible goes, so goes Christianity.

The image that comes to mind is of someone struggling in sinking sand, trying to find firm footing but sinking ever deeper and deeper. This is the state of Christianity today - an ongoing struggle to prove the veracity of the Bible, and a hidden fear that the Bible might be proven wrong and if so, then Christianity is false, Jesus is dead and our faith is misguided.

BUT...

The Bible isn't the foundation of the Christian faith. It is simply a collection of documents, detailing the history and law of Israel, and letters and eye-witness accounts of a very specific event: the resurrection of Jesus. That event is the foundation of the Christian faith.

For me, in that conference, I felt like someone who, was that person sinking deeper and deeper into the sand trap, but who suddenly found a firm footing. My firm footing of faith wasn't in the veracity, inerrancy or reliability of a title (The Bible), but in the EVENT the documents of the Bible, specifically the gospels talk about - the resurrection of Jesus.

Many people witnessed this resurrection and gave testimony to its truth: broken-hearted women, fearful fishermen, terrified followers and ashamed individuals. These nobodies, conquered people living in a dusty corner of the Roman empire, would testify to this event and in just 300 years, that Empire would make their faith the national faith of the empire. From a persecuted group of dozens, a movement of billions now exists.

Andy gave a clear clarion call that I am answering - let's testify to the resurrection of Jesus again and live the way he told us to - loving one another AS HE LOVED US.

Reckless

This Holy Week I had the privilege of sitting through our communion services twice due to a small part in one activity. I was not prepared for the opening song (on either night). I know that sounds strange, but the first night I wasn't prepared because I didn't know it. On the second night, I simply wasn't prepared for a greater experience of connection than the night before.

As tears ran down my face listening to our band present the version you will find below, I was struck deep in my soul with the truth of the chorus:

O the overwhelming , never-ending reckless love of God
O it chases me down, fights till I'm found
Leaves the ninety nine
I couldn't earn it
I don't deserve
Still you give yourself away
O the overwhelming , never-ending reckless love of God

This is my experience of God - especially in my darkest times. Listen to the song that was the basis of their rendition. I hope you will experience God's overwhelming, never-ending reckless love.

Why I Love Jesus...

Why I Love Jesus?

I have been a follower of Jesus for many years, almost 4 decades. It has been a relational journey filled with all the things that make up relationships – love, intimacy, talking, sharing, fighting, yelling, hurt, distance, forgiveness and reconnection. My relationship with Jesus is, by far, the deepest and most intimate relationship I have. I know this might sound weird to some people, to talk about Jesus this way, but this is how I know him. Jesus is not a religious exercise or duty to me, neither is he an out of sight, out of touch figment of my imagination. He is a real, authentic person that I walk and talk with every day.

In recent days, I have been struggling in my relationship with Jesus. I feel out of touch with him, despondent about what I perceive as a lack of impact in the world, angry about how he is represented by others on social and news media and mostly ashamed at how I have failed to live and act the way he wants me to live and act. He is my Lord and Savior, and I love him. But recently, I have been asking why?

This is my answer to that question, in no particular order.

I love the strength of Jesus.

He had physical strength. He was a carpenter by trade. Carpenters in Jesus day did not walk to the local wood store to get wood but had to source it from trees in their area. They cut the trees, framed the wood, created planks, working the wood down to its usable essentials and then compiling the products they needed for their homes. This required physical strength, wisdom, insight and dexterity. He had physical strength to overturn tables and throw out money launderers and their guards when he discovered their duplicity in the temple. Jesus was strong. But, his strength was deeper than physical.

He had emotional strength. His capacity to speak to anyone, from enemy to friend, from family to stranger showed a strength of emotional capacity that captivates me. He spoke to all sorts of people - women, children and men; people of power and insignificance, of wealth and poverty - with an ease and welcome that made them all feel included and accessible. His emotional strength allowed him to express emotion visibly without shame or fear. He expressed struggle, hardship, joy, laughter, sadness and amazement authentically and freely. He had emotional strength.

He had principled strength. He stood before kings, rulers and authorities, endured their questioning, answering clearly when it was needed, resisting answering when the questions were traps or ignorant. He faced the wisest of his day and showed wisdom. He faced the powerful of his day and showed humility and gentleness (which is power under control). He faced the weak and showed compassion. He faced the poor and showed grace. He faced the demanding and showed restraint. He faced accusers and showed patience. Above all, Jesus died for his convictions. He had principles strength.

So, I love Jesus because he is strong.

I love the courage of Jesus.

He showed courage, again of conviction. He stood before the religious rulers and called them out on their failures. He challenged their thinking, their rules and their systems. He was a revolutionary, who resisted the governments and institutions of his day with a courage that takes my breath away. His courage wasn’t rash or brazen, it was clear and wise.

His courage brought him to cross gender, class and ethnic boundaries. He spoke to Gentiles as a Jew, women as a man, conquerors from a conquered people, abusers and the abused as a victim himself. His courage knew no limits, even when it cost him the dearest relationship of his life, the relationship with his father. His courage is astounding.

His courage went beyond standing against those who did what was wrong. His courage caused him to stand against his own friends, especially when they sought to dissuade him from his purpose in life. Somehow, he was able to say the hard truths to his friends, courageously, in such a way, that while they were dismayed or angry at first, they soon came back and desired a reconnection with him. His courage was born not just of conviction, but of truth in practice and love in life.

His courage even brought him to stand up to his family. When they sought to stop him, he challenged them. His courage, and probably more so, his love, won them over so that they were present at his death, and his own brother committed to his vision and purpose, calling him not just brother but Lord and Savior too.

I love the courage of Jesus.

I love the compassion of Jesus.

Jesus was a man of compassion for all. His compassion, even now, brings tears to my eyes as I think about it. He had compassion on children, on the sick, on the weary, on those in hardship, on those seeking help in faith, on his enemies when they came with questions, on the rich, on rulers, on individuals and on masses. His compassion was clear, direct and thoughtful. His compassion meant he took people’s shame away or hid them in plain sight from those seeking to embarrass others. His compassion took small gifts and turned them into powerful illustrations.

Two incidents of compassion stand out in my mind. Jesus, when confronted with an adulteress woman, who was dragged before him, showed compassion. First, he drew in the sand, distracting everyone, making them look at him, rather than at the embarrassed woman. His compassion was shown in this smallest detail as he honored the dignity of someone who was being treated as undignified.  His compassion went further when he knew the law, and knew the consequence, but disregarded it in favor of forgiveness. His act of compassion continues to this day as we talk about not “casting the first stone”. His compassion caused the accusers to walk away, but the shamed woman to remain and then, he spoke to her…with love and compassion and then encouragement that she could be better. Oh, his compassion is amazing.

The second incident is on the cross. As nails are driven into him, as people make fun of him, as soldiers gamble his clothing away, he speaks to those next to him, gently, endearingly and lovingly. He goes further, and forgives those killing him, as they are doing it! In the midst of failing strength, his compassion stands strong. Oh, how I love him.

I love the compassion of Jesus.

I love the love of Jesus. Jesus was filled with love. His love is evident in everything and everywhere he goes so it is very hard to capture it in a few sentences. He loved children and played with them. He loved his followers and taught them. He loved the sick and touched them. He loved the discarded and spoke to them. He loved the rich and invited them to join him. He loved the poor and served them. He loved the religious and challenged them. He loved those closest to him and shared that love in the deepest and most meaningful ways possible – he washed their feet, he ate with them, he commissioned them and he died for them.

His powerful message to them is the most powerful message for me. Jesus, who had surrendered heaven and divinity to come to earth, called those he created his friends. This is incomprehensible to me! God calls us, his creation, friend! God calls me, his creation, friend!

I am God’s friend. And that is perhaps the greatest reason why I love him. He wants me as a friend. Me! Someone with so many flaws, so many failures, so many faults, so many mistakes; someone who has raged at God in anger at his laws, failed to live according to his design, freely pointed out what I see as God’s faults, someone who hurts his creation, who lives self-centeredly and selfishly, yet he calls me friend. More than calling me friend, he wants to talk to me, listen to me, give to me and welcome me to be with him forever.

Why do I love Jesus…because he loves me!

And then I came across this picture. I don’t know who painted it (it says Kero in the corner), and I don’t have permission to use it! Please forgive me. This picture captures for me the very emotion I feel about seeing Jesus one day. The face of the person who is embracing Jesus captures at once the sheer joy and exuberance of meeting this Savior of mine and at the same time the immense pain and hardship this life and being apart from him means. To whoever painted this picture, to Mr/s Kero, thank you!

I would love you to meet the Jesus I know, to experience his love first hand. I would love you to feel his presence and experience the wonder and love I feel. I hope you will consider that offer and if you want to know how to meet him, ask me! I would be happy to share with you. In fact, later this year I will be participating in a new campus of Faith Community Church, opening in or around Framingham. This will be a community seeking to learn and share the love of Jesus in remarkable ways. Maybe you could join us!