Remember when we had limited choices in making a coffee order: black or with cream and sugar. Regular or decaf. No so much any more. Now we can order ‘nonfat-decaf-iced-vanilla lattes-with-half-the-pumps’ at Starbucks and choose from 1,500 different drawer pulls for the kitchen cabinets at The Home Depot. Amazon.com gives every town a virtual bookstore with over 2 million titles, while Netflix promises 35,000 different movies on DVD. Choice is everywhere, liberating to some but to others a new source of stress. It has been said that the US culture is like Teflon: nothing sticks with us.
Our spiritual lives are not exempt from this option overload. We have to decide which Bible version to use, which outreach effort to support, which class to attend at church, and so much more. There is nothing wrong with having choices. We all want the freedom to choose and make things fit our lives. But, spirituality is most often characterized by learning to live more with less. As we grow in grace and in the knowledge of God we should progressively be able to find peace and satisfaction with the most basic things in life. As we mature in faith and wisdom we should not be as “high maintenance” as when we were children. This is the simple way. This is the way of Zen. It is the way of maturity. And, it is the way of Jesus the Master.
So, what is sticking with you? Are you learning about God, about yourself, about the world in which we live. These are critical times. We are witnessing dramatic financial change that may in fact signal the end of American life as we have known it. This is not all bad. But mark my words, this won’t be easy! During these critical times the kind of choices we make will determine, to a great degree, how we emerge from this time of transition and change.
Don’t resist change. Forms change all the time. For those of us who believe church is still worth doing, we know that the way church used to be is long gone. The emphasis on conformity (creeds, clothing, music, worship style, etc.) does not address the spiritual hunger of our age. But be careful. Just having lots of choices may be more of a distraction than a solution. While the “skin” of the church is changing, be persistent to look for the essence of the Spirit which is at the core of the Church: The Body of Christ. That essence is changeless. Models of church may vary over time and place, and they are ultimately not that important. It is not the design of the church, but what goes into it that matters. Don’t “get married” to any one particular model of how to do church. Renounce fear, especially the fear of change and of the unknown. The Lord has planted us here and now for life and work in this place, among the people we are called to serve. Fear not!
Jesus ministered to three categories of people. First, there was the multitude. These folks came out to see what all the uproar was about. Some liked what they saw and heard and wanted more. They become followers or disciples. Out of that group of disciples came a leadership core known as apostles. Apostolic leaders produced “fruit” in their lives (New Testament speak for external evidence of internal; change). It was quite simple. No fruit; no apostle. Apostles paid the price (sometimes with their lives) and were the ‘virus carriers’ of a new and exciting faith movement. If we are to be apostolic we must face our fears and get out among the people we hope to serve. We have choices today. The most important choice is the one to follow Christ, to be a disciples and not just another curious onlooker in a crowd. Let the Truth of the liberating Gospel of Jesus stick with you. Don’t let it roll off. May it infect us, convert us, heal us, and set us free.
