Jesus said:
“If you love me, show it by doing what I’ve told you… The person who knows my commandments and keeps them, that’s who loves me. And the person who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and make myself plain to him.” (Jesus, from John 14:15, 21).
Critical areas in which Jesus said we should obey:
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with your entire mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 22:37-40)
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20)
Obvious truth: We should love God and love others. No discussion needed.
Which comes first, love or obedience?
Do we obey the things of God, discover their benefits, and increasingly love God because of the blessings that come with obedience? Or do we love God, which motivates our obedience, which leads to greater love brought about by blessings, and therefore leads to greater obedience?
The answer is “yes.”
The better question is where are you in this ongoing process?
If you find yourself wondering what the minimum requirement is for your faith with God to “count,” you’re probably stuck.
If you love God with lots of heartfelt passion, yet don’t care about growing into new attitudes and behaviors, you’re probably stuck, too.
What we often fail to realize is that the greatest way to move forward in our experience of God and the most strategic way we can improve our world is by “unstucking” ourselves by focusing on these two foundational principles. By intentionally spending time developing our relationship with God, and by purposefully and strategically reaching out to others with love, everything is enriched. Our life experience. Our faith experience. Our sense of meaning in life. Everything.
Could it be that the most selfish thing we could ever do for ourselves is to be completely selfless?
If the only thing that will motivate you to love others is your fear of seeing gang violence rise, then love others, because helping people find Jesus is the greatest “course corrector” you can invest in.
If global warming, the economy, world hunger, health care, or any other major issue worries you to death, then the best thing you can do is help as many people as you can to journey the rest of their lives with Christ.
But how do we do this in a world that doesn’t seem to care too much about our faith?
Perhaps Peter said it best: “with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15).
Paul modeled it with excellence (see Acts 17:16-34). He changed his name to reach a greater number of people, knowing the “Saul” was a foreign name to the people he was called to reach. He placed himself in the midst of the discussion of faith. When he spoke to those who did not see things the way he did, or agree with his position, he spoke with incredible respect, even commending them for certain aspects of their belief. Note: he didn’t make them feel like idiots. He was gentle and respectful. He knew he was an ambassador of Christ, and not just speaking for himself. The result? People who otherwise would have ignored the Gospel chose to follow Jesus.
Does your method of sharing the Gospel reflect Paul’s?
Would anybody want to know more about Jesus because of how you live your life?... How you talk about Jesus and His church?... Your level of joy?
Even if you begin with purely selfish motives, choose to love someone this week with gentleness and respect. See what it does for you. For them. For the Kingdom. For your relationship with the King.
You just might discover that the best way to save/heal/restore your life is to lose it for Christ’s sake by following fully the Way of Christ.
A Pretty Good Prayer…
Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.
Questions to Tick You Off…
1. Beyond your verbal confession, why would anybody believe you are a Jesus follower?
2. What attitudes and behaviors are present in your life that would cause people to doubt your Christianity? Seriously – make a list (check it twice). Use multiple pages if necessary. What junk in your life can other people identify (or already have identified) that is incongruent with following Christ?
3. What will it take for you to take your junk to the dump?
4. What would you like the world to be like? God’s dream is even bigger and better.
5. How will you trust Jesus’ words this week – that in loving God, obeying God, you will experience an abundance of life that you cannot otherwise? What’s your next step?
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Ridiculous
If we expect our faith to make a difference in our lives and in our world, then we must do the “different” things God calls us to do.
The Passover event was ridiculous from start to finish. Plagues devastating one massive geographic/ethnic community while the neighboring community remains unaffected? Ridiculous.
A nation of people told to slaughter a perfectly good lamb in their doorway, and smear its blood on the door jamb? Ridiculous.
An entire community instructed to pack their bags and prepare a fast meal because they’d be freed from slavery soon? Ridiculous.
Faced with a really ticked off Egyptian army on one side and an impassible body of water on the other, and they’re told to trust God to make a way? Ridiculous.
Do you realize how ridiculous our ancestors were?
Their level of ridiculousness had no counterpart in their culture, and yet they did it. And they were the ones who prevailed.
We are all faced with slavery. Many forces try to bind us – debt, employers, sickness, distress, dysfunctional relationships, normal-everyday-apathy, keeping-up/down-with-the-Jones’ – what seeks to enslave you?
I wonder sometimes if we’ll ever break the cycle we find ourselves in individually, relationally, as a faith family, as a nation, as a global community. Probably not.
Unless we get ridiculous.
God is calling us to be set apart, different, holy – all of which looks ridiculous in comparison with the status quo. But has the status quo done a very good job with the economy, hunger, the AIDS pandemic, global warming, genocide, healthcare, war…
Want to see a different reality? Want to see your faith make a difference? Do the “different” things God calls us to do, and encourage others to do the same.
Maybe then we’ll see even the powers of death pass over us, and great barriers part to make a way for life to continue toward a better future.
Or is that ridiculous?
Consider this prayer...
God, the Christian status quo in the US has been utterly underwhelming. Help me identify the "different" things you are calling me to do. Give me courage to begin doing those "different" things, even if they feel and look ridiculous at first. Help me not to whine and complain - like our ancestral Israelites did - even though they were free and on their way to the Promised Land. Help me trust more and more in you. I trust you to provide life in the face of death, and a way when there seems to be no way. May you work in me to bring more of you into more of this world. Amen!
Questions to ponder...
1. What do you suppose it was like for our faith ancestors to act in such ridiculous ways?
2. As a church, we often look at a few areas of behavior as indicators of spiritual health: our daily devotional habits, our involvement in community, our giving of ourselves/resources for the sake of the Kingdom, our involvement in service, our having a worshipful attitude. How are you doing in these areas? What is God calling you to do in order to shape you even more?
3. What keeps you from embracing the "different" things of God? Lack of discipline? Embarrassment? Cheese? Just seeing if you're reading...
4. What are you going to do differently because of God's call and promise to lead you well in your pursuit of life abundant?
5. How gutsy are you to be ridiculous?
The Passover event was ridiculous from start to finish. Plagues devastating one massive geographic/ethnic community while the neighboring community remains unaffected? Ridiculous.
A nation of people told to slaughter a perfectly good lamb in their doorway, and smear its blood on the door jamb? Ridiculous.
An entire community instructed to pack their bags and prepare a fast meal because they’d be freed from slavery soon? Ridiculous.
Faced with a really ticked off Egyptian army on one side and an impassible body of water on the other, and they’re told to trust God to make a way? Ridiculous.
Do you realize how ridiculous our ancestors were?
Their level of ridiculousness had no counterpart in their culture, and yet they did it. And they were the ones who prevailed.
We are all faced with slavery. Many forces try to bind us – debt, employers, sickness, distress, dysfunctional relationships, normal-everyday-apathy, keeping-up/down-with-the-Jones’ – what seeks to enslave you?
I wonder sometimes if we’ll ever break the cycle we find ourselves in individually, relationally, as a faith family, as a nation, as a global community. Probably not.
Unless we get ridiculous.
God is calling us to be set apart, different, holy – all of which looks ridiculous in comparison with the status quo. But has the status quo done a very good job with the economy, hunger, the AIDS pandemic, global warming, genocide, healthcare, war…
Want to see a different reality? Want to see your faith make a difference? Do the “different” things God calls us to do, and encourage others to do the same.
Maybe then we’ll see even the powers of death pass over us, and great barriers part to make a way for life to continue toward a better future.
Or is that ridiculous?
Consider this prayer...
God, the Christian status quo in the US has been utterly underwhelming. Help me identify the "different" things you are calling me to do. Give me courage to begin doing those "different" things, even if they feel and look ridiculous at first. Help me not to whine and complain - like our ancestral Israelites did - even though they were free and on their way to the Promised Land. Help me trust more and more in you. I trust you to provide life in the face of death, and a way when there seems to be no way. May you work in me to bring more of you into more of this world. Amen!
Questions to ponder...
1. What do you suppose it was like for our faith ancestors to act in such ridiculous ways?
2. As a church, we often look at a few areas of behavior as indicators of spiritual health: our daily devotional habits, our involvement in community, our giving of ourselves/resources for the sake of the Kingdom, our involvement in service, our having a worshipful attitude. How are you doing in these areas? What is God calling you to do in order to shape you even more?
3. What keeps you from embracing the "different" things of God? Lack of discipline? Embarrassment? Cheese? Just seeing if you're reading...
4. What are you going to do differently because of God's call and promise to lead you well in your pursuit of life abundant?
5. How gutsy are you to be ridiculous?
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Let's Get The Hell Out Of Here
This may be God’s favorite slogan.
When God called Abraham to become a Hebrew – one who crosses over – he did so with a purpose in mind: that the entire world would come to know God and be blessed be a relationship with God.
Restoration. Redemption.
When God called Moses to lead his people to cross over the sea on dry land, they had to trust that this God really cared about them. God wanted then to know that he is a God of freedom, of liberation.
Jesus calls all people to cross over – to leave behind false thinking about the most important things, and to also leave destructive attitudes and behaviors behind as well. His work on the cross is our sign that sin has been forgiven. His work on the cross also shows us the way of redemption – we are to be a people who are willing to carry the cross as the counterintuitive path that leads to the best of life, and the best world to live in.
Since the biblical words for hell are related to the place of the dead (and our fear of it), and an allusion to throwing your life into the city dump with your actions, you can truly and confidently believe that Jesus was here to say, “Let’s get the hell out of here!”
Fear of death eradicated. Hope replacing hopelessness. Life-extending behavior and beliefs instead of those that restrict. Hell wiped out.
On the Day of Pentecost, Peter stood up and preached his heart out. He was preaching the story of Jesus, that he was the One the Jews had been waiting for. Somewhere around 3,000 people decided to embrace Jesus’ invitation that day to “get the hell out of here.”
The so understood the gift that had been given them that their behavior changed immediately. Here’s the description (Acts 2:42-47):
That day about three thousand took him at his word, were baptized and were signed up. They committed themselves to the teaching of the apostles, the life together, the common meal, and the prayers.
Everyone around was in awe—all those wonders and signs done through the apostles! And all the believers lived in a wonderful harmony, holding everything in common. They sold whatever they owned and pooled their resources so that each person’s need was met.
They followed a daily discipline of worship in the Temple followed by meals at home, every meal a celebration, exuberant and joyful, as they praised God. People in general liked what they saw. Every day their number grew as God added those who were saved.
Questions:
What is jumping out for you in this teaching?
Why do you think God might want you topay attention to it?
What are you going to do about it?
Prayer:
God, we whine and complain about how awful the world is, and how awful our life is sometimes. Help us get our head out of the sand and see that you are calling us to do something about it. Help us realize that with your Spirit's power, we can truly get the hell out of here. Humble us to follow! Amen!
Benediction:
May we be so overcome by the grace of God that we would be forever hungry to learn more about Jesus. May we be so overwhelmed by God’s love that we would choose to learn how to live in it within intimate community. May we be so impacted by God’s presence that we would walk through every day in a spirit of openness to God, that the Holy Spirit would lead us. May we be some humbled by God’s gift of grace that we would become increasingly generous – not just paying for our own journey, but funding the future journey of countless seekers after God’s heart. May all of this culminate in our incessant, 24/7 worship of our incredible God.
When God called Abraham to become a Hebrew – one who crosses over – he did so with a purpose in mind: that the entire world would come to know God and be blessed be a relationship with God.
Restoration. Redemption.
When God called Moses to lead his people to cross over the sea on dry land, they had to trust that this God really cared about them. God wanted then to know that he is a God of freedom, of liberation.
Jesus calls all people to cross over – to leave behind false thinking about the most important things, and to also leave destructive attitudes and behaviors behind as well. His work on the cross is our sign that sin has been forgiven. His work on the cross also shows us the way of redemption – we are to be a people who are willing to carry the cross as the counterintuitive path that leads to the best of life, and the best world to live in.
Since the biblical words for hell are related to the place of the dead (and our fear of it), and an allusion to throwing your life into the city dump with your actions, you can truly and confidently believe that Jesus was here to say, “Let’s get the hell out of here!”
Fear of death eradicated. Hope replacing hopelessness. Life-extending behavior and beliefs instead of those that restrict. Hell wiped out.
On the Day of Pentecost, Peter stood up and preached his heart out. He was preaching the story of Jesus, that he was the One the Jews had been waiting for. Somewhere around 3,000 people decided to embrace Jesus’ invitation that day to “get the hell out of here.”
The so understood the gift that had been given them that their behavior changed immediately. Here’s the description (Acts 2:42-47):
That day about three thousand took him at his word, were baptized and were signed up. They committed themselves to the teaching of the apostles, the life together, the common meal, and the prayers.
Everyone around was in awe—all those wonders and signs done through the apostles! And all the believers lived in a wonderful harmony, holding everything in common. They sold whatever they owned and pooled their resources so that each person’s need was met.
They followed a daily discipline of worship in the Temple followed by meals at home, every meal a celebration, exuberant and joyful, as they praised God. People in general liked what they saw. Every day their number grew as God added those who were saved.
Questions:
What is jumping out for you in this teaching?
Why do you think God might want you topay attention to it?
What are you going to do about it?
Prayer:
God, we whine and complain about how awful the world is, and how awful our life is sometimes. Help us get our head out of the sand and see that you are calling us to do something about it. Help us realize that with your Spirit's power, we can truly get the hell out of here. Humble us to follow! Amen!
Benediction:
May we be so overcome by the grace of God that we would be forever hungry to learn more about Jesus. May we be so overwhelmed by God’s love that we would choose to learn how to live in it within intimate community. May we be so impacted by God’s presence that we would walk through every day in a spirit of openness to God, that the Holy Spirit would lead us. May we be some humbled by God’s gift of grace that we would become increasingly generous – not just paying for our own journey, but funding the future journey of countless seekers after God’s heart. May all of this culminate in our incessant, 24/7 worship of our incredible God.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Notes To My Clueless Self
The disciples’ vision was so blurred that they could not recognize Jesus. They were unwittingly distracted by their worldview: they were so sure they knew how the Messiah would come and what he would do once he arrived that they had no mental capacity – no vision – for the actual Messiah, Jesus, when he came. They expected a powerful political leader who would overthrow their oppressor and restore God’s people to world dominance. They certainly didn’t expect Jesus to suffer and die in humiliation like a thief on a cross. Wouldn’t it be tragic if we were so certain of ourselves that we would miss Jesus walking right alongside of us all the while? Note to self: let God decide God’s Way, because I stink at it.
The disciples were also confused by information they could not integrate: reports that Jesus rose from the dead just didn’t make sense – why would that happen and what does that have to do with Jesus being the long-awaited Messiah? They didn’t see the biblical connection because they didn’t want to see this reality – they were in denial about what their own scriptures were telling them. Wouldn’t it be awful if we never got beyond “dazed and confused” because we refused to continually learn? Note to self: be a life-long learner.
Once again, through Jesus we learn that God doesn’t give up on us. Note to self: my idiocy can never trump God’s grace.
Walking with the disciples in their grief and confusion, Jesus began shedding light on scriptures they had left in the dark. He explained to them that the concept of a Suffering Servant Messiah was prophesied in the writings of Isaiah. He invited them to see things differently. Note to self: it’s God’s Word, so I better allow God to illumine what I need to see.
When they arrived in Emmaus for their lodging that night, Jesus acted as though he was going to continue walking into the evening. This was an opportunity for the disciples to do the right thing – entertain a stranger who needed help. The disciples’ genuine, generous gesture meant that God-in-Flesh would be with them longer, and the Self-reveal would go deeper. Note to self: doing the right thing invites God’s presence.
All of the teaching from the day’s journey, plus the disciples’ hospitality led up to the climactic moment. Their eyes were opened as they together shared bread offered by Jesus – True Communion. Together. With Jesus. Intimate. Holy. Note to self: maybe communion is supposed to be just like that – experiencing God’s presence in the company of people who love God deeply and care about each other dearly.
At that moment, the disciple’s minds and eyes were opened to the identity of their guest, who then disappeared. They immediately ran back to Jerusalem to share their experience with others. Note to self: when I have a God moment – a spiritual aha! – do I urgently share it with others, to encourage them as I have been encouraged? Do I give back out of what I have received or do I selfishly keep it all to myself?
These two disciples learned of other Jesus-sightings. Everybody felt more and more excited about what was happening. Their strength of faith grew significantly. Their confidence was soaring.
The world was about to experience a new day because just a few people understood this Good News Self-reveal. These few invested themselves fully in proclaiming this Good News to as many as they could. In fact, they couldn't help it.
Note to Self: may I be so overcome by the risen Christ that I am changed and seek to change the world with this incredible, hopeful, now-and-forever news.
Process Questions...
1. Are you open to learning new things about God, yourself, your church, your culture, others? Respond to this statement: we only know if we're rigid in our thinking we we're forced to stretch.
2. How have you become aware of the influences that have shaped your expectations about God's Word, Christianity, God's expectations of us, Christ's return, etc.? What is the danger of not being aware of our shaping influences?
3. How has God been shaping you through his Self-reveal in your life over the last week? How has God illumined scriptures, shown his presence alongside of you, been patient with you, etc.?
4. Recall some of your more memorable times when you have celebrated communion. What made those times special? What contributed to the spiritual potency of those experiences?
5. How have you urgently shared your experience of God's presence with others who may need to hear of it? What holds you back? What is the positive potential of sharing such Good News with others?
A Prayer To Consider...
God, I have a tendency to be dazed and confused by my emotions, by my ill-conceived expectations, and by my unwillingness to understand things that are unfamiliar. Forgive me for the times I have been stubborn. Forgive me for the ways I have wittingly and unwittingly hindered your Kingdom's growth in the world. Forgive me for my apathy and arrogance that have led to needless suffering among others in this world. Help me see more of you. Help me understand. Help my unbelief! And as I experience your presence, give me courage to urgently share your joy with those I know who need to hear. May your kingdom come!
The disciples were also confused by information they could not integrate: reports that Jesus rose from the dead just didn’t make sense – why would that happen and what does that have to do with Jesus being the long-awaited Messiah? They didn’t see the biblical connection because they didn’t want to see this reality – they were in denial about what their own scriptures were telling them. Wouldn’t it be awful if we never got beyond “dazed and confused” because we refused to continually learn? Note to self: be a life-long learner.
Once again, through Jesus we learn that God doesn’t give up on us. Note to self: my idiocy can never trump God’s grace.
Walking with the disciples in their grief and confusion, Jesus began shedding light on scriptures they had left in the dark. He explained to them that the concept of a Suffering Servant Messiah was prophesied in the writings of Isaiah. He invited them to see things differently. Note to self: it’s God’s Word, so I better allow God to illumine what I need to see.
When they arrived in Emmaus for their lodging that night, Jesus acted as though he was going to continue walking into the evening. This was an opportunity for the disciples to do the right thing – entertain a stranger who needed help. The disciples’ genuine, generous gesture meant that God-in-Flesh would be with them longer, and the Self-reveal would go deeper. Note to self: doing the right thing invites God’s presence.
All of the teaching from the day’s journey, plus the disciples’ hospitality led up to the climactic moment. Their eyes were opened as they together shared bread offered by Jesus – True Communion. Together. With Jesus. Intimate. Holy. Note to self: maybe communion is supposed to be just like that – experiencing God’s presence in the company of people who love God deeply and care about each other dearly.
At that moment, the disciple’s minds and eyes were opened to the identity of their guest, who then disappeared. They immediately ran back to Jerusalem to share their experience with others. Note to self: when I have a God moment – a spiritual aha! – do I urgently share it with others, to encourage them as I have been encouraged? Do I give back out of what I have received or do I selfishly keep it all to myself?
These two disciples learned of other Jesus-sightings. Everybody felt more and more excited about what was happening. Their strength of faith grew significantly. Their confidence was soaring.
The world was about to experience a new day because just a few people understood this Good News Self-reveal. These few invested themselves fully in proclaiming this Good News to as many as they could. In fact, they couldn't help it.
Note to Self: may I be so overcome by the risen Christ that I am changed and seek to change the world with this incredible, hopeful, now-and-forever news.
Process Questions...
1. Are you open to learning new things about God, yourself, your church, your culture, others? Respond to this statement: we only know if we're rigid in our thinking we we're forced to stretch.
2. How have you become aware of the influences that have shaped your expectations about God's Word, Christianity, God's expectations of us, Christ's return, etc.? What is the danger of not being aware of our shaping influences?
3. How has God been shaping you through his Self-reveal in your life over the last week? How has God illumined scriptures, shown his presence alongside of you, been patient with you, etc.?
4. Recall some of your more memorable times when you have celebrated communion. What made those times special? What contributed to the spiritual potency of those experiences?
5. How have you urgently shared your experience of God's presence with others who may need to hear of it? What holds you back? What is the positive potential of sharing such Good News with others?
A Prayer To Consider...
God, I have a tendency to be dazed and confused by my emotions, by my ill-conceived expectations, and by my unwillingness to understand things that are unfamiliar. Forgive me for the times I have been stubborn. Forgive me for the ways I have wittingly and unwittingly hindered your Kingdom's growth in the world. Forgive me for my apathy and arrogance that have led to needless suffering among others in this world. Help me see more of you. Help me understand. Help my unbelief! And as I experience your presence, give me courage to urgently share your joy with those I know who need to hear. May your kingdom come!
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
We Don't Know Beans
Back in January I got an email from my mom. It was one that had been forwarded to her by someone who forwarded it to them – you know, the ones that have 15 “FW:’s” to wade through before you get to see any meaningful content. After an hour or so of scrolling down the page, I came to a presentation showing what different families from around the world ate in a week. Photo after photo depicted happy, smiling families around dinner tables filled with an abundant supply of food. These families all hailed from developed countries.
The last photo showed a woman with her two children in front of a meager hut, crouching down in the dirt with a bag of beans, a bag of rice, a jug of water, and some spices. Her weekly food expenses were around $5 US. She was from some village in Africa.
As Lent approached, I decided I wanted to do something to help me better identify with the world’s poor. I remembered the email, and decided to try surviving on the diet of millions upon millions who live in abject poverty: beans. One can of beans a day. Approximately 350 calories. That’s it.
I learned a lot in my little experiment. I was not surprised to go to bed really hungry and wake up with the same angry tummy. I correctly guessed that I would have less energy than usual. I knew I would probably lose weight, too. And that’s the part that shocked me most.
During the 45 days between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday, I lost 30 pounds.
I had 30 pounds to lose. What if I started my experiment where I am today, with very little “reserves” (fat) to burn? How would my daily experience be affected if my body started feeding on muscle? How much energy to work for a living would I have? How would this affect my mental capacity after awhile?
I’ll be the first to admit that this experiment was literally just a taste of poverty. After all, I had the luxury of making this choice in the first place, of taking a packet of multi-vitamins every day, or drinking as much clean water as I wanted, of resting without fear, of earning a living with my mind and mouth more than my back. I really don’t know beans about the life experience of the poorest of the poor, even after 40+ cans…
But even though it was just a taste, I will never forget it. And I will think differently about the world’s poorest because of it.
I wonder about our level of ignorance about important things in life and in our world. I wonder how many things we don’t know beans about.
As I approached Easter, that world-changing dawn, I wondered if it was still changes our world in Napa with as much power as it did then.
I wonder what we’re missing because we’re married to the comfort of routine.
I wonder what might happen if we consistently grow in our relationship with God in Christ. What radical changes will be called for that will significantly reshape our worldview?
I pray we will recognize how little we all have experienced of the power of the resurrection. I pray we will arise out of our slumber and make changes that will teach us more about Jesus and God and life than we will ever know through mere ritualistic repetition.
May you wake up. May you shake up your ritual. May you make bold leaps in your faith as resurrection happens in your body, mind, and soul.
The last photo showed a woman with her two children in front of a meager hut, crouching down in the dirt with a bag of beans, a bag of rice, a jug of water, and some spices. Her weekly food expenses were around $5 US. She was from some village in Africa.
As Lent approached, I decided I wanted to do something to help me better identify with the world’s poor. I remembered the email, and decided to try surviving on the diet of millions upon millions who live in abject poverty: beans. One can of beans a day. Approximately 350 calories. That’s it.
I learned a lot in my little experiment. I was not surprised to go to bed really hungry and wake up with the same angry tummy. I correctly guessed that I would have less energy than usual. I knew I would probably lose weight, too. And that’s the part that shocked me most.
During the 45 days between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday, I lost 30 pounds.
I had 30 pounds to lose. What if I started my experiment where I am today, with very little “reserves” (fat) to burn? How would my daily experience be affected if my body started feeding on muscle? How much energy to work for a living would I have? How would this affect my mental capacity after awhile?
I’ll be the first to admit that this experiment was literally just a taste of poverty. After all, I had the luxury of making this choice in the first place, of taking a packet of multi-vitamins every day, or drinking as much clean water as I wanted, of resting without fear, of earning a living with my mind and mouth more than my back. I really don’t know beans about the life experience of the poorest of the poor, even after 40+ cans…
But even though it was just a taste, I will never forget it. And I will think differently about the world’s poorest because of it.
I wonder about our level of ignorance about important things in life and in our world. I wonder how many things we don’t know beans about.
As I approached Easter, that world-changing dawn, I wondered if it was still changes our world in Napa with as much power as it did then.
I wonder what we’re missing because we’re married to the comfort of routine.
I wonder what might happen if we consistently grow in our relationship with God in Christ. What radical changes will be called for that will significantly reshape our worldview?
I pray we will recognize how little we all have experienced of the power of the resurrection. I pray we will arise out of our slumber and make changes that will teach us more about Jesus and God and life than we will ever know through mere ritualistic repetition.
May you wake up. May you shake up your ritual. May you make bold leaps in your faith as resurrection happens in your body, mind, and soul.
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