so, what do you do?

That's a loaded question, isn't it? Interesting how we have reduced who we are to what we do, as if that should be the measurement of an individual's life. How much does he make? Where do they live? What does she drive? Is that silk? Blah, blah, blah... How do we get so sucked into such rediculous ideas that what we do and what we have defines us? Perhaps it's the fact that many of us have lost our substance. We've become complex "onions", with layers and layers of elaborate "skins". Once you peel them all away (if you can), there's nothing there. We've lost our true selves in our creation of elaborate "fig leaves" and the best we can come up with is, "So, what do you do?"

How much fear would we strike into the hearts of those we meet, were we to instead ask, "So, what makes you come alive?" or "What is your greatest dream?" "What is your heart's desire?" "Who are you, really?"

Are we afraid to be known this way? Are we uncomfortable knowing others this way? It's just easier hiding behind our facades. It's easier to lie to everyone than to really be known and know others in truth. It's comfortable. It's better this way. It's misery and loneliness that cannot be cured with drink or sex or any of the other infamous salves we apply to the wound. Only true relationship can free us from this lonely lie. And only in Jesus can we experience that relational deliverance and freedom which enables us to relate to others with that same truth we find in him.

Jesus said the world will know we are his disciples by our love one for another. True love. This only happens when we are truly known by one another and embrace each other with all of our faults and weaknesses, encouraging and supporting each other in the journey of life. This is what God had in mind when he came up with the Church. Does your church look like that? Does mine?

I've heard a number of folks complaining lately about "the church" and all they are doing wrong. I think an appropriate response is, "So, what are you doing to become the church Jesus is returning for?"

unsure footing

Ever find yourself in a place of "unsure footing"? Maybe you were hiking and came to an area of loose dirt or rocks. Maybe you were crossing a snow or ice covered walkway (or a freshly mopped kitchen floor). Or maybe your "footing" was unsure in the walk of life. You know, there are times when all of us have been unsure of the direction our lives if we're honest with ourselves. Even as Christians, we can sometimes find ourselves struggling to know God's direction in our lives. Should I buy the house or car? Should I marry him or her? Should we make the move? Take the job offer? Should I help this person? Why am I here? What, specifically, did you have in mind when you made me, Lord? Even the questions about our spirituality and why we believe what we believe can be unsure footing. Why do I believe this way? Because my parents did? Because I'm ____ (insert religious preference here)? Or because I'm convinced, according to God's Word - both written and spoken to my heart - that this is God's will and design? If you're in the woods, you might have a stick or a nearby tree or rock to hold onto. But in the journey of life we often seem to be all alone in our unsure footing, without anything to hold onto.

I've recently learned (or at least I've been reminded), by my oldest son (he's two), the best way to get through seasons of unsure footing. When Nathan approaches an area of unsure footing - literally - he will often reach out immediately for my pant leg or hand. He expects me to be there, and is actually a little surprised when I'm not right there. He says, "hold onto Daddy!" with all the confidence a two year old has that all he needs to insure his safe passage is to hold onto me. Concerning children, Jesus said, "the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." (Lk 18:16) Maybe we should be more trusting and expecting of our Heavenly Father as we traverse the unsure footing of our journeys. Thanks, Nathan, for the insight. And help me, Lord, to remember that simple phrase the next time I feel I'm on shaky ground - "hold onto Daddy!"

return

It's been a while since my last post. It's not that I haven't thought about blogging, or that I had nothing to say. I've just been procrastinating and waiting until I had time to sit down at the computer and hash through some of those thoughts in my head and heart. I don't really have the time right now, either. Ok, so maybe I have the time, but the atmosphere is not that conducive to deep and thoughtful reflection. Nathan's playing loudly behind me, Laura's watching the nightly news even louder (to hear over Nathan), and I'm thinking of three more things I need to do right now.

I'm taking pause to blog here, though, because I need to. Whether or not anyone actually reads my ramblings is not the issue. The issue is that I need this outlet to unload. I want to be more consistent and deliberate this year in my writing. Sometimes I'll share my opinions or preferences. Sometimes I'll share my questions and ponderings. But at all times, I hope to be true to who and where I am in my life's journey.

I've got several "threads" of thought I'll be posting from in the coming week, so check back soon.