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Romans 5:3-5 “And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.”

Most of us would agree this sounds about right.  Although it’s difficult to realize, and receive hope from these words while we’re actually suffering.  I believe we are called to bring these words TO each other in suffering.  Not as a magic “salve” that will make suffering lessen or cease, but more of a statement of Love and Truth straight from the Word of God that accomplishes more than we might realize.

But beyond receiving these words of Hope in the midst of suffering, comes the topic of “character” that has become a rarity these days.  Even without reading a book on the topic, most of us can see the vacuum here.  Some raise children who “follow all the rules”, and others children who “live genuinely”, both viewing their path as one that is inherently and ultimately “good” in it’s process and goal.

But what of the situations for which we haven’t spelled out any rules?  The increasing amount of what we reflexively label “gray areas” are growing these days.  Or what about the times when I “genuinely” desire to do something that would not be healthy or life-affirming?  There must be something beyond rule following and “genuine existence” that offers something here.

That “thing” is character.  Specifically, “Christian” character.  Not that simply following/growing in character itself is a bad thing.  As seen here, and other places like it, a lot of positive things can come from this.  But with what goal?  To someone who seems to be doing just fine in this life especially, and gets along well with others….what purpose would there be to exercising and strengthening these abilities?  Without Christ, the goals of “greatest good for the most people” and “happiness” become very vague debates on who’s definition of good we’re using, and the value of one life over another.

Our world doesn’t need more people who will follow the rules and enforce them.  We aren’t in need of more people who are “freed from rules” and can live life more “authentically/romantically” because of that freedom.  We need followers of Christ who will develop the discipline and the nature of Christian Character…and in so bring God’s solid Hope for tomorrow into the lives of others, and creation…

Admittedly, it’s taking a big longer than usual for me to make my way through “After You Believe” by NT Wright. 

So far Wright has been focusing on things like “What is good?”,  “What are we to do as humans?”, and particularly the Christian discussion of these things.  The fact there seems to be 2 main groups, both of extreme:

On one side, you have someone who believes Christianity and following Christ are about what we do and don’t do.  A list of rules and lifestyle choices God has pointed out for us, that we follow out of obedience and love.

On the other side, you have someone who believes Jesus came to abolish rule-following.  That we’ve been released to discover and follow who our “genuine” self is, and follow that.  Both of these extremes often having the same goal in mind.

What NT Wright discusses instead is a third, and more complete view of what it seems Christ and the early Church were advocating.  That not only are there certain things we simply “obey” as our lives come under the authority of God, but we are also to be developing “Christian Character” so that our “true selves” are becoming more and more a 2nd nature type of Jesus-following.

Which apparently is a lost discussion these days, especially compared to the early Christians.  Many of the early Christians had taken concepts of Plato’s “Cardinal Virtues“, and the Aristotelian concept of “Eudaimonia“…and improved them with a framework and goal that was a bit less vague and subjective.  A purpose that goes beyond simply “happiness” or “the greatest common good”.

I want to post more on the topic, but this is already a bit long to go into it.  So come back tomorrow…mom. 🙂

Our final day of camp was pretty tasty indeed.  Well, if by tasty you include the fact that it was ridiculously hot once again, compelling me to stay in AC controlled environments.  Those teens are tough, too.  Most of them seemed to not realize it was anything beyond a comfortable 77 degrees outside.

Our final morning time together we spend talking about not eating from the fruit called “Despair”.  We were reminded that we are people of HOPE, and that Jesus desires to take EVERY bit and piece of our life….the pieces that we love to share with Him…and the odds and ends that seem to be filled with pain.  Jesus desires to use each of these as HOPE-FILLED building blocks for the Kingdom that is coming.

When I was in high school, I went on a mission trip with my youth group to New Jersey.  I don’t remember a ton of what was taught by our youth pastor.  I do remember serving in some of the poorest areas of Atlantic City.  I also remember the phrase “CHOOSE TO SERVE” because at some point on our trip together, we were given little hand towels (associated with a foot-washing ceremony) with those words printed on it.

With that in mind, I wanted to be able to offer the teens a concrete physical reminder to take home with them of what we’d been talking about.  My wife and oldest daughter came to my rescue, by writing the word “HOPE” on 100 giant legos. 

What came from that, beyond some really cool photo opportunities of legos spread across a long wooden altar; was a time of prayer with leaders and students.  Prayers that Jesus would take specific situations and our lives altogether and bring HIS Purpose and HOPE to use these things as building blocks in His Kingdom that is, and is to come.

Altogether an incredible week…on location.  My larger prayer is that as these living building blocks of God’s Kingdom return to their respective environments…humanity and creation feel ripples of the Spirit’s transforming work in their lives….may God be with each of them…