BST's Blog

Thanks for the comments yesterday. I went back on the good advice of a friend and changed their names. That was a good call, man. Looks like "Gary" will be at Otter this Sunday.

After I wrote I was re-reading the chapter in Blue Like Jazz about when he and his college friends set up the "confession booth" during the hedonistic week at their school. When kids came in to laugh at them or see what the heck it was about, the Christians confessed to THEM. They confessed that they loved money too much. They confessed that they knew Jesus loved the poor and the hurting and yet it hadn't made much of a difference in the way they treated people. They confessed that they'd given Jesus a bad name by the things they chose to get upset about. And the result? Tears. Tears fell from the eyes of those who'd been hurt by religious people.

Couldn't we find a way to do that? Couldn't we find a way to fess up that we've screwed up? Of course some will go to their graves defending their "God-given, spiritual right" to judge and withdraw fellowship. Whatever. That makes me want to say a string of curse words. What the world needs to see--as in any relationship--is our vulnerability. What's more vulnerable than laying down your life for someone? That's not just a physical act--it's a life-style and a way of thinking. Are we anywhere near it?? Or, have we pacified ourselves by spewing out religious jargon and proof texts until we've convinced ourselves that we know what we're talking about? I feel pretty strongly about this whole thing. Can you tell?

One of the biggest light bulb things for me over the last couple of years (I'm ashamed to say it's taken that long) is that Jesus calls us into relationship for relationship's sake. Often we "befriend" people with the hopes of getting them in the door of our church (some don't even do this). Once they're there, we can relax cause hey--isn't going to church the same as having a relationship with Christ? Nu-uh.

Jesus calls us to the uncomfortable. He calls us to love even when--and especially when it stretches our comfort zones. Look around you. How many people are you in relationship with who aren't just like you? How have you treated that outcast person you see at work or at the gym? How have you treated the gay man or woman in your office? How have you responded to the alcoholic or drug abusing friend? How have you treated the partying, promiscuous co-worker or family member? Professional kindness? Not enough. How have you treated those who've asked you for money? What strides are we making to develop Christ-breathed relationships with those who are needy, lonely, or hurting? Often they are the very ones we run from.

I may sound belligerent here--99% of this is directed at me. I'm more and more convicted about this in my own life. I'm making strides to take care of this and love like I think Jesus would. I'm so distracted by my own selfishness. I'm often too busy or just don't care. Would you pray for me as I pray for you--that we could really be more committed to sharing the love of Christ with those who need him?