Saying No to Religion, and Yes to Jesus

Part of my family and I spent the morning volunteering at a local food pantry.  I spent the time getting to know people, hearing their stories, and re-introducing them to Jesus.  I say re-introduce because Jesus is so familiar, and yet so unknown.  Most people have been inundated with religious jargon, that seems completely irrelevant to our lives.  We've heard that Jesus died on the cross on our sins.  People know they should go to church, pray, read their bibles and try to be good people.  Religion is all about trying to be good.  Over and over I've heard  people talk about going back to church so they can start living better, or get themselves right.  Others go to church so that they hear an encouraging message that will jump start them for the week, then they go back to life as usual.  I spoke with a lady today who was more concerned about God answering her prayers than God himself.  "Yes, I believe God answers my prayers because I always see a rose when he does."  That's cool, but do you know God?  Why would God do something so personal, if he didn't want you to know Him intimately? 

(Many of us want God to answer our prayers, but we're uninterested in actually knowing Him. He's just our Genie-in-a-bottle.)

The American culture is full of religion.   So many of us put on religious masks that keep us from encountering the real Jesus.  We can say the "right" words.  We pray the "right" prayers.  We can quote scripture, and sing the "right" songs.  We go to church and participate in church activities.  But... do we know God(aka Jesus)?

How, you ask?

Great question.  How do you get to know anybody you want to know?  It's quite simple.  By spending time with him or her.  Get alone and spend face to face time getting to know God.  That requires, quite obviously, a recognition that there is a God to be known.  If you don't believe that God exists, why would you ever attempt to spend time with Him?  Once alone, talk to God.  We call that prayer.  If you're going to talk to God, you must believe that He's listening.  Why would you waste time talking to someone who can't hear you, or who doesn't care to listen?  Next you must listen to Him.  That's right, listen.  Of course, that means that He speaks.  Not only does that mean He speaks, but He wants to speak to each of us personally.  He speaks through His words.  Many of His words are written in the Bible.  He reveals to us who He is.  He shows is ways of working in the world.  He gives us examples of others who were His friends.  He teaches us much about ourselves and the world. 

He will speak specifically to us.  About our lives. About our destiny.  About our circumstances.  About who we are.  His words aren't simply printed words on a page, they are words that are overflowing with life, and meaning.  They are relevant and true.  They go beyond our natural understanding. They go deeper than deep.  Those who continue to dive into His word daily find themselves discovering treasure after treasure. There's an endless supply! 

God also speaks to our Spirits in ways that cannot be explained in words.  He speaks in our minds.  He speaks through creation.  He speaks in dreams and visions.  He speaks  in the silence.

And once He's spoken, we must believe His words to us.  What's the use in listening, if you won't believe? And what's the point of believing, if you won't do what He tells you to do?

We can also know Jesus by being around others who know Him--His children.  His children are also known as "the church".  God wants us learning together, praying together, and serving together.  TOGETHER is the key word.  He doesn't want us on our own.  In fact, He promises a special manifestation of His presence when we gather together.  I can't completely explain it, but I've experienced it many, many times.  When we come as humble seekers of the true and living God, expecting Him to speak to us and to do something special among us, He does.  Often, we come with our own agenda, that we expect Jesus to follow.  We often gather with others in order to check off our, Went-to-church-this-week box, rather than with the desire to meet with Jesus, and pour out our love and devotion to Him.

Don't abandon gathering with other true followers with Jesus.  Just find some true followers to gather with.  God will guide your search. He doesn't want you alone.

I'm currently reading a book that is encouraging me in my search to know the "real Jesus".  I want to know Him for myself.  So I'm reading the gospels with new ears, and new eyes, asking God's Spirit to show me the real Jesus.  The author of this book encourages His readers to do the same.  We've painted this flat, uninteresting, powerless, and quite frankly, impersonal Jesus.  We've made Him distant and unapproachable, sorta like the Pope.  That's not the real Jesus!  The real Jesus was continually surrounded with sinners.  Prostitutes. The despised. Thiefs. The sick. The demon possessed--crazies. The destitute. The broken. The  poor. Jesus welcomed these people in His presence.  Jesus isn't somewhere up in the clouds, unapproachable by us.  He wants us to know Him and to live in a continual relationship with Him. 

The last lady I spoke with today talked about her frustration with her church.  She wants more.  She thought that there was more. 

There is.

Religion doesn't fill the deepest longings of our souls.

Jesus does.

Say yes to the real Jesus.

He wants you to know Him.

40 Days of Discovery- Day 10

Wow!  I'm a quarter of the way through my 40 Days.  It's been so good!  I feel like I'm being deluged with so much.  I'm having to take a step back to take it in a little slower.  The question I'm asking God is, "What do you want me to do with this information?"  I'm just a mama.  Nobody special.  Why is He showing me so much?  It's BIG picture things.  I have gotten one clear answer, "Pray".  He's even given me someone who is committed to pray with me.  That is a gift and I thank Him wholeheartedly for it.

I'm experiencing more of God's power in my life than ever.  It's humbling, and I'm not sure what to do with it.  I feel like a 2 year old learning to walk, talk and feed my self.  I feel like, more than ever, I'm saying, "Holy Spirit, teach me."  I'm currently reading the book of Matthew, and as I read,  trying to gleam everything I can from the life of Jesus.  I want to understand how He lived, because I want to emulate His life.  By the power of the Spirit!  Apart  from His Spirit--forget it!!!

I'm encouraged that there are many others who seeking to do the same.  Oh, Majestic, Supreme Ruler, be glorified through your people.  Awaken us to Higher things.  Give us your thoughts.  Give us your mind.  Teach us how to walk confidently in your  power.  Teach us.

Today I was reminded how it important it is to communicate clearly.  When I was in college I interned at Los Alamos National Laboratory, and IBM.  I remember feeling like an idiot when I first started.  I'd hear all of this jargon:  P-14 and such.  I'd hear all of these acronyms flying around.  Everyone seemed to understand perfectly what was being said, and I didn't have a clue.  It was like I was hearing a foreign language.  But everyone acted as if I should understand, so I couldn't let on that I was clueless.  I just had to keep listening, until I was able to decipher the code.  I'm wise enough now, to just ask questions.  Who cares if others think I'm stupid.  If you don't know, you don't know.  Anyway, I wonder if much of our christian jargon is the same with people.  Words like salvation, repentance, resurrection, born-again, etc. fly from our lips as if it's common knowledge in our culture.  I think many are familiar with the words, but the bigger question is, do they understand what we mean?  I can ask, "Do you believe in Jesus?" and many will say yes.  Yet scripture says demons believe as well.  So what do we mean when we say believe?  Living in a culture where Christian words are pretty common, and people think they know what they mean, we need to step back a define our words.  I'm asking Jesus to  help me to speak in language that the general culture can understand.  God certainly knows how to speak to each of us in a way that we can understand and respond to.

I pray that He will give me that gift of communication.  I have ideas for stories I'd like to write that could do that.  My art can do that.  I just pray that it will.  Supernaturally, enable me to communicate with such clarity, love, and grace, that people are compelled to respond.  Compelled.  May the words you give me never be ignored.  I have no ability to do this.  I am just a woman.  Yet I am the servant of the one is fully capable of doing this through me.  I am willing, Master.

What have we done to "the least" ? part 3

In my own meager attempts to serve "the least", I've been so quick to "fix" their problems, or what I thought was their problem, that I have unknowingly undervalued them.  I've communicated in my actions and attitude that my education, experience, money and even my country, made me an "expert" on solving their problem.  I am thankful for God's grace in these situations, for he knows I was acting out of ignorance.  Yet, now that I know, I repent of my foolish pride.

I pray that I will embrace this truth in my inner most parts--to depths of my being:  Everyone has some ability, and skill that we can learn from.  Everyone.  We often have to help "the least" to see their value and worth.  We have to help them to see that they have gifts, abilities and skills that the world needs--that our church body needs.  We value others when we recognize what they have to give to us and others, when we consider their ideas, and their analysis of a situation.  They have something unique and wonderful to bring to the discussion. We are able to see a fuller picture of what's really going on, and how to solve a problem.   It's not that we have nothing to give them.  It's just that we rarely give "the least" the opportunity to give to us.

We begin by listening, and asking lots of questions.  Questions enable us to understand the challenges that "the least" face.  It enables us to discover their skills and abilities.  It enables us to know them. Don't be afraid of questions.

We must use every opportunity to build up "the least".  We must give them positions of significance that allow them to use the skills they have.  Provide lots of encouragement and support.  Walk beside them every step of the way, reassuring them that they can do it!  They need to know we believe in them. They need patience and lots of grace.  If they fail, they need our reassurance that it's ok.  We all fail.  This is how Jesus recruited His followers.   He didn't choose the qualified.  He qualified those whom He chose.  They didn't choose Jesus.  He chose them.  He walked beside them every step of the way, preparing them for a great mission.  He trusted them to fulfill this mission by the power of the Holy Spirit. We too can trust "the least" with great responsibilities.  They too can fulfill these great things by the power of the Holy Spirit.


And we can't wait for "the least" to come to us.  Like Jesus, we must go to "the least".  We must tell them, "I see something wonderful in you."  "I believe in you."  "Now come and lead this ministry". "Come and teach class."  "Come and join me on this mission."  "You can do this." 

We must be intentional  about affirming their God-given worth, value and purpose. We must ask God to give us eyes to see them as He sees them.  Then we must help them to see the truth about who they really are.  Remember, "the least" are constantly being bombarded with messages that tell them all the reasons they can't do anything of significance. 

Allow "the least" to serve you.  It's puts you in a position of humility.  When I receive from someone, I am communicating that I have a need that must be met.  The person who gives is always in a position of power.  Receiving puts us in a  place of weakness.  In order to receive, I must admit that I am deficient in some way.    Remember, the God of the Universe, who lacks nothing, receives from us.  He delights in receiving from us, though He needs nothing.  Receiving is a way of blessing another.  It acknowledges that they have something of worth to give.

When we lift up others, we too are lifted to greater heights.

What have we done to "the least"? part 2

God made each of us unique.  Each unique difference gives us a glimpse of the infinitely diverse God of the Universe.  When God's people, who were meant to display His beauty to the world, decide to ignore certain people in our midst because they are different from us, we miss out on God's revelation of Himself.  Every person He places in our midst is valuable because God placed His image in each of us.   They aren't people to be changed to fit into our culture.  We shouldn't expect them to conform so that we are more comfortable.  They shouldn't be avoided because we're afraid of offending them.  We need to make an effort to acknowledge "the least" among us.  "The least" need to be noticed--not a polite, uncomfortable "hello", but a welcoming "We're so glad you're here!" 


Have you ever been "the least" in a culture?  I have.  Being a black woman, puts me among "the least" in most places in America.  I have friends that are in "the least" category in other ways.  Some are poor.  Some are disabled.  Some are single moms.  Some are from other countries.  One thing is sure.  People get really uncomfortable around "the least".  And "the least" try really hard to fit in with the majority.  They try to hide their disabilities.  They try change their appearances in order to fit "the norm" of the majority culture.  They try to disguise their poverty with nice clothes.  Poor people don't like looking poor when they're among the "non-poor".  Very few people enjoy being "the least".  So if you can't blend in, you try to find other people like you.   Birds of a feather flock together because everyone wants to feel "normal" and accepted. ( Or you try to elevate yourself--making someone else "the least".)


So how should the body of Christ respond to "the least"?   

Paul tells us in his letter to the Philippians to elevate the needs and desires of others above ourselves.  

Phil 2:3-4  Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. 
 
If we take that seriously, following Jesus' pattern,we will lay aside our on preferences, desires and even our rights in order to lift others up.  In Paul's letter to the Corinthians, he tells us that God purposefully arranged the parts of His body just as he wanted them.  God brought every person to your local community.  Your church body is being designed by God.  Are you paying attention?  Are you cooperating with His work?

1 corinthians 12:22 says "...those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable..."  People who seem to have nothing of value to contribute are the most necessary for a healthy thriving community.  1 corinthians 12:23 "... and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor..."  Some among us have been treated with such disrespect and dishonor.  Some have been treated as though they are invisible.  Some have been ignored.  Some have been oppressed by the culture.  We must elevate them.  We must show them special honor. When we do this, we recognize their worth. 

Let us be people who look for opportunities to elevate "the least". 

God gave His best to "the least".  (In God's economy, we're all "the least".)

Do we give our best to "the least"?

As I consider Jesus' example, he often elevated "the least".  He gave them special privileges, respect and opportunities. He taught them by example that they were valuable in the eyes of their Maker.  Here are a few examples:   He took time to talk to women, giving them special attention and privileges.  This was a culture where women had little value, so it was pretty revolutionary.  He touched the outcasts:  prostitutes, foreigners, lepers, the blind, the cripple,the "half-breeds", tax collectors, "the crazies"--the unclean.  He took time to listen to them, to heal them, to free them from their bondage,  and ultimately gave them a face-to-face encounter with God Himself.   He lifted them out of the depths of degradation, humiliation, and dehumanization.  The God of Heaven humbled Himself to lift them up.   And so He says to us, "Go and do the same."

John 13:13-17  "You call me `Teacher' and `Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. [14] Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. [15] I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. [16] I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. [17] Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

God delights in using "the least".

1CO 1:26 Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. [27] But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. [28] He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things--and the things that are not--to nullify the things that are, [29] so that no one may boast before him.

Are we following His example?  

What Have we done to "the least"? Part 1

James 1:27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

 

The true test of the church is how we serve "the least" among us.  "The Least" is defined as the poor, minorities, disabled, children without fathers(or mothers), the widow (including the divorced), mentally-ill, refugees, homeless--anyone that doesn't fit the majority profile.  Anyone who finds him or herself among the disadvantaged in a culture.  These people struggle to survive in communities.  They are often invisible to the majority.   They are invisible in part because "the least" try to blend in with the majority.  They are invisible in part because the majority can choose not to interact with them.  Honestly, "the least" in a society make us uncomfortable.  It's much easier to encourage or even force those who are different from us to conform.  "Become one of us, then we can love you."  It's  hard to love people who are "different".

How can we as the church serve "the least" in our communities, in our cities and the world, when we don't serve" the least" in our on church body--those sitting beside us on the pews?  How can we convince the world that God loves them and that we genuinely care for them, when we can't love and accept those whom we call brother or sister?  I'm thinking that this isn't a new issue in the body of Christ for James talks about this issue in his letter.

JAS 2:1 My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don't show favoritism. [2] Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. [3] If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, "Here's a good seat for you," but say to the poor man, "You stand there" or "Sit on the floor by my feet," [4] have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?

james 2:8 If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, "Love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing right. [9] But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.

I know what you're thinking.  "I would NEVER do that!"  Well--we do it in our churches ALL of the time.  We're just unaware of what we're doing.  When we choose the style of music that we worship to based on the majority of our member's preferences, we choose to show favoritism toward the majority culture. The preferences of  "the least" in our church are ignored.  "The least" is forced to conform, or leave. No wonder churches are so segregated.  (When I say majority culture, I refer here to the majority culture of the particular local church and its surrounding community.)  When we focus all of our efforts on reaching the majority, "the least" among us are devalued.  Take note that even James recognizes that the poor man is welcomed into the meeting, but he is pointing out how the poor man is treated when he gets there.  

How do we treat "the least" in our worship services?

Aiming the bulk of our resources towards the majority works great in a business, but not in God's economy.  God is a God who leaves the 99 (the majority) to rescue one (the least).  God Himself rejoices over one who receives the gift of salvation.  This is because every person is valuable to God.

MT 25:40 "The King will reply, `I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

 Interesting that Jesus calls "the least" His brothers.  It's also interesting that he didn't say, whatever you did for "some" of the least, or "most" of the least,  but "one" of the least.  Jesus seems to be emphasizing that every single person matters to God.  Overlooking one person grieves the heart of God.

 MT 25:45 "He will reply, `I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'

 How are we treating Jesus in our churches?

Asking Questions

Lately, I've been asking myself questions.  Why do I do what I do?  I've been asking God questions.  I've been wrestling with things that I've accepted about life without ever really analyzing them.  So much of christianity is cultural.  I'm realizing that more than ever.  The way we express our love and devotion to God, the way we live out our faith.  Much of it is expressed in a cultural context.  

There is so much that we do and say as christians.  We do these things because someone says we must--usually a pastor.  We do these things because that's what we've always done.  We do these things because they've been passed down from our family.  And many of the things we do, we're passionate about them. They're part of our "deep down" belief system.  We've taken many of our own personal preferences and convictions and called them "biblical" or "right".  God is so much bigger than one group's own personal preferences or convictions.  Are you willing to consider that there are other ways to live out the christian faith that look very different from the way you live out your faith?
 
Asking questions can be unsettling.  It can shake up your world.  It can lead to more unanswered questions. 

I believe that we can no longer ignore questions.  People all around us want to know the relevancy of christianity and the church.  Former "church-goers" want to know why they can't worship God at home.  The early church met in homes. There are many people that are disheartened and dissappointed with church leaders.  Is being a part of an organized church our only option?  Can coming together for the purpose of worshiping God, encouraging one another, praying for another, and loving each look many different ways? What should a community of Christ-followers look like?  Is church tradition wrong?  Should we rediscover the old?  Should true followers of Christ leave the church in mass exodus in order to start all over from the ground up, or should we seek to do what Martin Luther tried to do to the Catholic church--reform it? Should we meet in homes?  Should we meet in large church buildings?  Does it matter where we meet?  Does it matter what day we meet?


When Jesus gave His followers the mission to go (leave that which is comfortable and familiar), and make more followers of Him, I wonder if the current American church is what He had in mind.  We've made christianity, comfortable.  It's a great way to live.  It's a great way to raise your kids.  It's just a great community to be a part of.  The people are nice.  It keeps us from coming in contact with those-- sinners.  Sinners are bad.  They're going to hell.  They're messing up our nation.  They're left winged liberals. They're destroying marriages.  Sinners should be avoided and shunned.  Shouldn't sinners be accepted as sinners?  Shouldn't sinners be loved --while they are sinners?  (I'll admit.  I like them to get their acts together first before I love them.)  But doesn't God love us while we are sinners?  He gave his life while we were His enemies.

When God looks at the American church as a whole, is He pleased? There is so much division in the church.  So much division in His body. Isn't there only one body with Christ as the head?

Is He pleased with me?

Questions, questions, questions...

I hope I stirred up a few questions in your mind today.

Press Through

I am amazed at the many lessons that can be learned from one story.  God continually shows me that He has so many layers of truth.  We'll spend an eternity discovering newer and newer layers.

Recently, the Holy Spirit brought to mind the story of the woman with the blood disease.  I've written about her before in "More than a Hem".  If you haven't read it, check out my sept. 2009 posting.  Anyway, the Spirit showed me another dimension of this story.  As you may or may not know, this woman with the blood disease approached Jesus in the midst of a crowd.  In fact the crowd followed him and pressed him in.  Luke says that the crowds almost crushed him.  Sounds like a mob--huh?  Everyone wanted to see what he was going to do for the  ruler's daughter who was sick.  He was on his way to the ruler's home.

While on his way, Jesus stopped.  He questioned the crowd, "Who touched me?"  The question seemed a bit absurd given the crushing crowd around him.  Interestingly, everyone denied touching him.  (Sort of like what happens in my house when I'm trying to find out who did something wrong. ) Even his disciples were a bit sarcastic in there response.  "Um...Jesus, the crowd is pressing around  you. Pretty much everyone is touching you." (my modern paraphrase) Jesus continued, "Someone touched me.  I felt power leave my body."  Well, as the story goes on, the woman with the bleeding problem reveals herself. 

So here's the powerful revelation:  Many people seemed to be followers of Jesus.  Many seemed near him, but only one set out to intentionally touch him. Only one experienced his healing power in her life.  Only one pressed through the crowd believing that Jesus would set her free.  This lady pressed through.  She risked everything to get to Jesus.  And not only was she immediately healed, but she was blessed with an intimate, face-to-face conversation with Jesus.  Jesus stopped everything, to talk with this woman.  See many seemed near Jesus, but none of them experienced a personal interaction with him. Interestingly, the crowd that seemed to be followers of Jesus, were actually a hindrance to those who truly sought Jesus.  Yet, the woman didn't let them stop her.

I've observed the same thing happening in our churches today.  Many seem to be touching Jesus.  Many seem near him.  Many go to church.  Many read and study their Bible--even memorize scripture.  Many go to christian schools, listen to christian music, buy christian stuff, but few have actually touched Jesus.  Few people have experienced His power in their lives.  Most are content to see him work in other people's lives, to hear about him, or to study about him.  Very few are willing to press through the christian culture, press through their preconceived notions about Jesus, press through what they've been taught about Jesus, press through their pain, press through their insecurities, press through their comfort, press through their fears ... press through to get to Jesus.  Understand that pressing through isn't easy.  It makes other people uncomfortable when you press through to get to Jesus.  Imagine how many people were annoyed with the woman as she pressed through the crowd.  I'm sure she was apologetic, but she was on a mission.  Are you? 

How desperate are you to experience His power?  How desperate are you to experience freedom, and healing?  How desperate are you to see His beauty?  How desperate are you to experience abundant life?

Those who choose to press through walk a narrow, narrow path.  Some think this path is reserved for the spiritually elite, the prayer warriors,  pastors, or missionaries.  No.  It is the path that all who follow Jesus should be walking.  It is the only way to life.

^{Matt 7:14} But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

 On the flip side, are we hindrances to others getting to Jesus.  Has our religiosity, our programs, our christian conservatism, our political beliefs, our judgementalism, our christian bubbles, or our limited views of God kept people from connecting with Jesus? Quite convicting, I must admit.  We must be willing to ponder this question--especially when we seem to be swimming with the culture--the crowd.  If we will ask the Holy Spirit the question, you can be sure that He is ready and willing to give you the answer.

I leave you with this encouragement:  Press through to intimately connect with the King of the Universe.  Press through with an expectation that He will heal, save, free, and give you life and power.  

Do not stop until you touch  Him.

From one pressing through the crowd.