Author: Wick

1 Peter 2:4-5 “As you come to him, the living Stone–rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him– you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”

We are told that Jesus is “THE living Stone”. Peter continues to tell us that we, “like” living stones, are being built into a “spiritual house”. This comes as an important reminder in a world of flag-like faith.

I believe we generally approach faith, and our lives, as if we were flags for the Kingdom. We will wave, often vigorously, advertising the Kingdom. Declaring it’s existence. We will even allow ourselves to become so large, decorated, and adorned with all sorts of extra stitching, under the guise of becoming attractive to those looking for the flag. Parents, and grandparents will even invite the next generations to wave their flag along-side of us. But this analogy was never offered to us in scripture. Instead, we are given the connection of “stones”, and not just any stones you find on the side of the road – but stones for BUILDING upon.

What if we truly lived as those who desire to be built upon? If life was less about what I can advertise and wave to those around me and those generations to come – and more about what foundations I can help lay for those who will be built upon me?

It’s easy to become a flag. It’s enjoyable. We can enjoy moment after moment of waving. Enjoying the pleasures of life as God’s gifts, without much thought for what comes next. But to be a stone that will be built upon – this requires sacrifice and obedience. Words we tend to shy away from.

Maybe you have the ability to be a spiritual stone for others. Maybe an economic stone. Emotional stone. Relational stone. Creative stone. Maybe some sort of blend of gifts and abilities to offer the building WE are becoming (not only “we” pointing around the room, but “we” as in all who have come before, and those generations to come).

As we offer ourselves to others, recognizing Christ as the ultimate “cornerstone” (v.6), and giving our lives to the building…we are becoming the temple where God chooses to dwell. We carry His presence into a world parched and dry for this Living Water. We invite our grandparents. We actively lead our grandchildren. We join together…not in waving, but in becoming what those after us will need to continue building God’s dwelling place…

Lately there has been a lot of focus on the “when” of God bringing His work to completion.  Thanks to a small group of people (many of which who seem to be trying to follow Jesus) tomorrow has been advertised as a possible “beginning of the end”.  It hasn’t received much credit in actual “Christian” realms, but atheist and other non-faith-oriented places have held it high as an example of the ludicrous ability of God-followers to believe in  hooey.

So what do these believers declare will happen tomorrow?  It seems to be “The Rapture“.  The basic belief that God’s desire is to remove the “souls” of all who love Him to another place (usually this place is thought of as floating somewhere in the sky, and contains a lifestyle of golden streets and jeweled castles).  From their website, “He will close the door to salvation on May 21, 2011 when He returns to take his elect children to heaven “

There are enough websites, youtube videos, and other scriptural explanations out there dispelling the May 21st deadline.  But the entire topic hitting the media as it has, makes us think about how important the “what” of this “when” can be.

I recognize that there are people I love who believe God intends to do something similar to the “rapture” linked above.  There are a few who hold this belief, and seem to still be actively working out the Kingdom on Earth, and inviting others to do the same.  But even more popular are those who have gotten their rapture passport stamped, are waiting for the big trip…and maybe inviting a friend or two to get their passport stamped also.

I do believe God will move again to finish what He began at the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  The Bible points us to God bringing together Heaven and Earth in a marriage that makes both completely new, joined by a New Jerusalem.  A very physical existence in the full presence of God, someplace a lot more like “here” than a distant floating “somewhere up there”.  This will be mysteriously connected to the Kingdom work we are involved in even today.  This isn’t simply about “getting more people on the rescue boat while the world continues to sink”.  This is about a Love for God’s creation (including humanity) that lives and acts out His Love and desire to bring about healing, righteousness and redemption.  That includes living a life as revealed in Christ, not because “obedience = trip to heaven”, but because living this way is how God will be revealed and move in a world already begun to be made new. 

He will come to complete the works begun in Christ and the Church.  But until then, we know He has given us His Spirit for a purpose that is much larger than “saving souls from hell after death”.  We are involved in freeing captives, sharing love, sacrificing, healing, creating beauty, caring for creation, bringing justice, etc., and declaring Jesus as Lord with our lives, in a creation that is heading that direction.

That purpose has begun, and will not end.  May we join in the work of Christ in such a way that the day of His complete revealing will come as the natural celebration of what our lives are already directed toward…and not like a ship coming that we hope our tickets are good for.

(wait, that almost sounds like there’s a purpose to “Church” beyond a motivating message and emotional worship each week…:)

See you there…

Recently the “Harpers Index” included a statistic that more than caught my attention:

“Percentage by which young adults with high religious participation are more likely than their peers to become obese:  50 “

Yowsers.  As someone in ministry to youth and young adults, I have to take some ownership of this statistic (full source here)…and call many of my readers to as well.  Young people who are regularly involved in our churches are 50% more likely to become obese.

It’s not the first time we’ve heard this.  Anyone who’s been in ministry to young people have heard the argument in regards to a young person justifying alcohol consumption or tobacco use:  “But over-eating can be unhealthy too!”  In fact, all the way back to the 4th  Century, God’s followers have acknowledged “Gluttony” as one of the primary origins of other sins. 

But how do we approach “gluttony” in a culture that is gluttonous in itself?

One step at a time, for sure.  It’s not about “redesigning” everything we do as a church.  It’s not about canceling potlucks, pizza parties, and locking up the toddler snack cabinets (though we may change what’s in them).  Much of it could be changed from the very foundations by churches taking a more holistic approach to ministry.  Many churches are starting garden co-ops, and educating families on improving nutritional intake/activity levels (yay Kara!).  Here’s a quick “high five” to our own Parish Nurse also, who regularly talks/educates on making healthy choices as important to our faith.

As youth pastors, how about throwing out that unlimited fountain soda machine, and getting a machine that you can put your own, stocked, limited supply that includes healthy choices?  What if we made sandwiches instead of ordering pizza every time? (wow, that hurt to type)

I don’t like vegetables…or exercise a whole lot beyond dancing with my girls and running from teens in dodge ball.  I’ve probably actually gathered an invisible list of adjectives unfitting for a man who is thankful for the body God has given.  I’m not jumping on the “all natural, etc.” bandwagon, and I’m not too worried about how much corn syrup I take in….but I’m saying there’s gotta be somewhere healthier than living comfortably with the above statistic.

It may even be connected to our churches actually being a healthier Church.  Pun intended.