The Final Word?

I think that winter has made its retreat, like a wounded animal. Nice and sunny again today, although a somewhat schizophrenic day. For example, when I was walking home from class this afternoon, the sun was actually hot on my back, yet the icy wind was whipping me in the face. Weird.

Speaking of class, had a bit of a frustrating experience today. I love Thursdays because they're the days that, every second week, I don't have to be awake in the morning at any particular time (although having an infant around makes the idea of sleeping in non-existent), and I don't have to go to school until 2:00. That said, the morning went by pretty quickly, and off I went to school. When I got there, my whole class filed into the room (all nine of us) and waited for the teacher. Who never showed. Finally, someone went to his office and spoke to his secretary, who looked at him bewildered, and said, "Oh, he's in Montreal at a conference." Hmm. You know, that's the kind of information it would have been important to share with the class. Like, before we all got there and waited.

I, for one, have many things I can do with my time. Sitting in a classroom waiting for a prof who didn't have the courtesy to tell us he wasn't going to be there isn't high on my productivity list. And besides, I got changed out of my PJ's specifically for that. I could've stayed in them an hour longer. Sheesh.

Back to the discussion about charity and giving and shoeboxes and all those important things. Thanks again, Lydia and dad, for the interaction. I wonder what other people think? Let me know if you want.

For me, here's the last thing I'm going to say about this whole thing, at least for today. Part of what's happening in my spiritual life right now while on campus is the idea of the quest for deeper meaning. Confession time: I'm really sick and tired of church. But I'm not one of these people who will say, "Yeah, I believe in Jesus, but I just don't like church." That doesn't wash. Read your Bible: you can't have a relationship with Jesus without having a relationship with His Body, the Church. They're inseparable.

In fact, something I've learned this semester which has been really interesting is this concept of personal salvation and what a bunch of hogwash it is at times. Now, before you accuse me of heresy, please read the rest of this posting. We live in this world where the only thing that matters is accepting Jesus and waiting to die and go to heaven. Our worship times are about "me and Jesus in my sunbeam," and we don't allow anyone in to that sunbeam, or at best maybe one or two people. We think that Jesus came to offer salvation to individuals, and that's good enough for us.

The problem is, that view isn't correct. Yes, our salvation means that we will personally go to heaven when we die, but Jesus didn't come primarily to redeem individuals--He came to redeem His Church. Inasmuch as individuals make up the Church, our personal salvation is wrapped up in it, but there's so much more to it than that.

What have we done to our churches, though? We've made them nothing more than social clubs. I'm being challenged in my studies by Chuck Colson's book, "Being the Body"--a fantastic read that will change the way you think about what church is. The examples he gives in there give me hope that there's so much potential that Jesus wants to unleash in His Church, but it also makes me frustrated that Satan's got us believing this lie that our faith is all about us as individuals. So when I say I'm sick and tired of church, I don't mean that I think we shouldn't do it anymore. What I do mean is that I think we need to rediscover the meaning and significance behind our gathering, and work to appreciate the mystery inherent in it a little bit more. Otherwise, I should just stay in on Sunday and watch football and join the Rotary Club, which probably meets at a more convenient time.

The point of this long and rambling story (and yes, it does tie into shoeboxes, but you're going to have to stay with me through it) is that there has to be something more to the Christian life than just waiting for heaven to start. And I think that attitude is, a lot of times (and I realize that generizations are generally unfair, but I use them to prove a point or at least demonstrate one possible side of the argument) revealed in the way we give. My concern is that we're starting to go down this "the end justifies the means" line of thought with a lot of things in church, and it's scary. As long as someone gets helped, that's really what's important, right? I'm not convinced. When God said He desired obedience rather than sacrifice, He didn't mean stop sacrificing--He just meant that there is a root and a fruit, if you'll pardon the rhyme. The root is motivation; the fruit is the sacrifice (or shoebox).

All I'm saying in this whole debate is that we need deeper roots, because without them we can't sustain any kind of giving, be it shoeboxes, sacrifical bulls, or whatnot. We've lived off the fruit for a long time, and it's good. But it could be better. And the worst part is that we've lost the taste of the good fruit and fooled ourselves into thinking that there's no such thing as good fruit anymore.

Now I'm hungry. Anyway, do you see where I'm going with this? Yes, it's good to give a shoebox. Please don't misunderstand: I'm not ragging on OCC, shoeboxes, or anyone who gives one, no matter what the motivation is. Even if you're motivation is guilt, selfishness, or whatever, at least a good is being done. But there's so much more meaning that could be imparted to it, so much more fulfillment that could come out of it. The potential is there for more good to be done; that's what I'm saying.

When it comes right down to it, Lydia and I are both talking about the same thing, we're just coming to it differently. When she says, "Unfortunately, I don't think all Christians are ready and willing to give serious thought to their charity actions (or any other actions for that matter)," my response is, "Yes, I agree--and that's a real problem." If we continue to refuse to examine the motivation behind our actions, good will still be done. But how much more good could be done if we took the time to examine our motivations? How much more could the church accomplish of God's plan if we would just think through the meaning of Church on a deeper level? The potential is nothing less than what the Infinite God is willing to pour on us. And I think that's really exciting.

That's enough for today, I think (and I'm sure you'll agree). I'm really glad that I've tapped some passionate people with this whole topic, and I hope you'll continue to consider what Lydia, my dad, and I have to say, and maybe take the time to weigh in yourself. In my opinion, no harm can be done from open, honest, and respectful dialogue. Lydia, I appreciate you giving me your thoughts, and I hope you pick up that I don't mean to be rude or overbearing in my answers--I just really enjoy the dialogue. So thanks.

As for the rest of you, I appreciate you too. Thanks for stopping by today, and I'll see you tomorrow for the always-anticipated Friday posting. Bye for now.