Standing in the Doorway

Hi.

I have a blog recommendation for you: http://www.credis.blogspot.com/

The most recent post on this blog is about modern monasticism, about moving out of the suburbs and back into urban areas, eating with homeless people and sinners and raising your children to do the same. It's about giving up cable and a two-car garage in order to do this, about abandoning the pursuit of wealth and committing to serving others. It's a pretty radical idea.

But when I read his blog I got really angry. I'm so tired of empty talk. The Christian subculture talks about "community" as though it were some noble ideal, rather than an achievable reality; they talk about "living beyond themselves" and "having a purpose" and a myriad of other catch phrases that are supposed to inspire us to ... what? What do they really do except evoke guilt? Are we really seeing more people living with a purpose or living beyond themselves? And if we are, why are they still buying up all the new 3500 square-foot homes in suburban Alabama? (As an aside - why does anyone need 3500 square feet? Wouldn't you enjoy a little more backyard and a little smaller garage? And why are master bathrooms so big in new homes? How much space do you really need in a bathroom? But I digress.) We have great ideas, but they aren't actually changing how we spend our money, or what we're working towards, or who we love. They just make us feel better about ourselves.

I believe in training, and empowerment, and all of those important concepts for running an organization. But the body of Christ is not an American organization. I'm TIRED of treating it like one. I also know there is a season for everything. Maybe it's not your season. Or maybe God hasn't asked you to do it. Radical discipleship is a specific calling: there were crowds who loved Jesus, and only a few who were asked to abandon their lives. But I know too many rich young rulers, who have been given every comfort and have been asked to sacrifice their blessings in order to obey God. I'm watching them stand in the doorway, wanting both worlds. They want to devote their lives to loving God and serving others, as long as they are provided health insurance and a good retirement plan. They are beautiful people with beautiful cars and beautiful homes who know exactly what to say in order to inspire others, but show no fruit of inspiration in their own lives. They know what God has asked them to do. They just haven't done it yet.

A friend asked in frustration the other night, "Is this the God we serve? A God who always asks us to do the hard thing?" I wanted to say, of course not, God wants us to be happy. But I couldn't. The reality is that sacrifice is a part of following Christ. Some times - most times - God does ask us to do the hard thing.

But I'm weary of talking about boldness and radical living with other believers in well-furnished living rooms, drinking sweet tea and smiling at one another. Do this thing or don't. Either way, make up your mind and shut the door. My friend Karissa uses a phrase that comes to mind: It's time to either piss or get off the potty.