I love reading the Gospels. I love seeing the heart of Christ and thinking about the life he is calling us to. I read this passage of scripture a few days ago and have been chewing on it for a while...
Matthew 10: 16-23 "Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles. When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death, and you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next, for truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes."
Jesus tells his disciples that they will be flogged, persecuted, and hated for His name sake. The same God that called for such selfless sacrifice to the point of pain, torture, and death is the same God that calls for disciples to follow Him today.
It makes me wonder why the invitation to follow Christ is often portrayed as an inviation to a life filled with happiness and smooth sailing. Why do we often depict relationship with Christ as this simple, brainless, easy choice? When I think about Christ sharing this with his followers, I do not imagine them thinking this future sounded like the "married with 2 kids, a dog, and a white-picket fence" life they maybe had aspirations for.
Is following Christ an easy choice? It makes so much sense for me. I could write for pages why it makes sense, but it definitely has not been a choice that has always led to the easiest path. And it definitely hasn't been the path of smooth sailing, unending bliss, and constant happiness. It has been a while since I have seen the movie, so my analogy may be a little hazy, but a scene in Patriot comes to mind as I think about this. There is a scene where there are all these people sitting on the side of a hill, under the cool shade of a tree, watching the battle unfold before them. Contrast that to the soldiers fighting, shedding their blood, giving their life for a cause they are passionate about. That is what the Christian life should be more described as. Given the choice to chose between being a part of something that will change history, see justice served, people healed, and lives changed...or to sit on the sidelines...that is an easy choice for me...but the actions are not easy and there will be consequences, wounds, and sacrifices. It would be much easier for my physically body to sit and watch. I would never have to get my heart rate up, I would never have to risk pain or hurt, I would never have to worry about the blood of others splattering on me and getting me messy and dirty. It would be easier to not be a part of it, to not participate...but it would not be the life I would rather live. Christianity is too often depicted as being an audience at a symphony. We can sit together and enjoy the beautiful music, bask in the artist’s work, enjoy the sounds as we sit and listen. Our intended purpose being to take part in producing the song instead becomes the passive enjoyment of a spectator. Unfortunately, the closest many get to taking part of God’s work is in sharp critiques and criticisms of the players, another passive approach to a life where God demands anything but passivity.
We talk about longing for community, but when you get to the heart of what we really want, it isn't for a group of people to get dirty with, to fight with, to pour out our sweat, blood, and tears with, to sacrifice our life for...it is for a group to sit, sip fine wine, and enjoy life with. What kind of Christianity are we offering the world? What kind of salvation are we offering if we are not offering a salvation for the empty, fruitless life they are living right now? Do we really believe following Christ to be something that is worth throwing our entire life into? Our entire family into? Our entire body and mind into? Are we offering the world an invitation to just sit, listen, and enjoy with us? Or are we offering them an opportunity to be a part of something so much greater then sitting on the sidelines or in the stands?
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5 comments:
Dennae, right on. The "life filled with happiness and smooth sailing" is not promised anywhere in the Word. Happiness is something we might have at times during our life, but it is not really something for us, as Christians to pursue (interesting that its pursuit is one of the basic tennants of the US Constitution). Hapiness is temporal, not eternal. It is based on our present condition.
What we do have promised is peace, joy, love. Phil. tells us to be anxious for nothing (in other words 'don't focus on the temporal displeasures you are experiencing') Rather, we are to make our requests know to Him with Thanksgiving. Being thankful in a time of suffering is an act of faith. When we do this we have "the peace of God that passes all understanding, reighning in our hearts and minds". This is an eternal state, not a temporal one. It is not dependant on the circumstances we are currently facing, as is happiness.
There have been many times I have been happy in my life. But, there have been many I have been unhappy as well. No matter what I have faced in that regard, I have always been at peace and been joyful.
I think that is the key to our being able to "step up" to what ever comes our way. Whether that is outright persecution, or just getting messy in the midst of a community of believers as you suggest, it is the attitude that will pull us through. It's all about faith and trust in Him.
dennae,
Why aren't you publishing?
YOu are so right on and the insigtful way you put it should be shared. Have you thought about sending some of these posting to Christian magazines?
You are SO right. Christians seem to almost get upset when things aren't easy, but our lives shouldn't be easy. I really enjoyed your post. I love you!
Dennae,
I think you are right. I know there are plenty of times I have held back in some situations from living the way He intends me to because I am too scared of what might happen to my "bubble of happiness."
It is strange how we often accept and embrace the sacrifice of Christ, then in the same moment refuse to make much more petty sacrifices for Him ourselves. What is giving up a few hours to take advantage of an opportunity to minister to someone? To speak our minds in front of an audience of unbelievers? To be bold enough to stand against the unrighteousness both in our world and in ourselves? Especially when we know that is precisely what God did and desires for us to do?
Why do we shrink away from the idea that we should expect trials and adversity? Like you said, that is what He told us we would face! I thank you for always encouraging me to set aside my reservations and realize that the Christian life is NOT an easy one, although ultimately the most satisfying.
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