I had the chance to spend a great time with some awesome teens and some great brothers and sisters last weekend. I really enjoyed our worship times, and everything that went along with it. In my heart and in my mind there was a great calm over the whole thing. I am not sure if everyone felt that (JD- he he) but I know I did.
We had good size group of our kids go to this exciting event, and I am pretty positive we ALL had an awesome time. I was a bit dissapointed when I got home though, because Satan couldn't wait to jump on all of us, especially me. We had some miscommunications, some minor issues, and they all sent my blood to boil. Issues that were really non issues, and things that really shouldn't have bothered me. I won't get in to all of the specifics, but I will get into this:
ap·a·thy ( P ) Pronunciation Key (p-th)n.
Lack of interest or concern, especially regarding matters of general importance or appeal; indifference.
Lack of emotion or feeling; impassiveness. This is one of those issues I have been so frustrated by for the longest time. I won't go into details, but I think apathy is one of the single biggest killers of our churches. So last night, I laid it out there for some of our teens.
We talked about apathy, we talked about commitment. We talked about the abaility to give 100 percent. On a side note in the last few weeks, I have read the late Mike Yaconelli's "Messy Spirituality" two times. I like what he says about giving 100 %, about how it is really impossible to give God 100 percent and we should be realistic and shoot for 60. I won't do all the details now, but I think there is something to what he is saying. If you get a chance check it out. We talked about that too.
In my heart of hearts I keep coming back to one issue for apathy; lack of commitment. When we are commited to something we'll do it all out! When we're not, we play the "get by" game. It's frustrating. I'm no better. I do things that way too (like my blog - so shameful). I read another book that also is good on the subject, it's called "Bored with God" by Sean Dunn. It has some different theories about how to overcome apathy and some ideas that are great but doesn't it come back to this?
Some people have made a mistake. In my journey I have found that people become Christians for a variety of reasons. Some do it because "everyone else is." Some do it because it's what is expected of them. Some do it because it's just what you do. But sometimes the bottom line is people have done it and have left Jesus out of it. Why though? How does something so monumental and so Christ focused end up leaving Jesus as the side bar. Why is it in our society it has become OK to take a little Jesus each week, but never fully commit to Him? Why, to many Christians, has it become OK to put Jesus in our pockets and not wear him on our bodies and on our sleeves, and decorate our lives with Him, and truly give up what is us, and make it about Him.
7You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.I have come to the conclusion, that some people have made a mistake. For them, becoming one with Christ was not their best decision. Some were not ready to hold to the advice of 1 Peter 2:11. Christianity isn't just something we do when it's relevant to us, not just on Sunday's at 10.
I won't sit and question anyone's decision to become a christian, but sometimes I wonder do we really understand what it means. Because in a society of indivdualism - there is no focus on body, in a world of cheap grace - there is no truth, and ultimately in a world of selfishness - there is no room for Jesus.
I pray for revival for our people, I pray for a brand new understanding of what it means to live by the Spirit. I pray for God to break up the ground we cling to and make us grab on to Him.
Bless you today!
JD said...
Chris... when you do decide to blog you let it rip. Good for you. You have several great items in your post. I read Messy Spirituality. I thought Ragamuffin Gospel was better...but both similar themes.
I loved being around you this weekend. My son thinks you are cool ... so that ought to make you feel good.
I will probably call you soon ... sounds like some crap hit the fan.
Remember to be patient with people. God has been soooo patient with us. It's tough to do, but if we're not good for it, who will be?
k2 said...
chris, i echo jd's words. thanks for not holding back. thanks for telling it like it is. i have missed your posts.
however, i don't think we need a revival. i think we need to ask the Spirit to really come and make Himself truly known, and to really work in our church and other chruches, and more specifically, in this nation.
i was so stoked after last night! just hangin' with brandon, josh, and you. that was so cool! i wish that the fire that brandon has would just burn in our church and people see what needs to be seen.
i also think, this is where the fallibility part comes in, we need to stop saying, "i wish they could see what i see." and stop preaching at people and share with them, and pray for them. i really liked what brandon said about his friend he had been working on for all that time.
i'm rambling. anyway, i love you and i truly appreciate you. thanks for what you are doing. keep it up. its "good stuff".
