So, I was urged by several people to revisit my previous post "A turning point?" and maybe talk a little more about it. Apparently it was "too deep", "too vague".
Well, processing it a little more, in retrospect I think part of what I mainly wanted to communicate was that I'm just tired of seeing the Body of Christ invalidate, demean, and diminish the legitimacy of hurt, struggle, pain, LIFE. Christians love labels. We love to place big fat stickers on people and issues that say simply: "RIGHT", "WRONG", "YOU LOSE", or "WE WIN". They love to win arguments. To be right. And in doing so completely embody the antithesis of Jesus' approach to people. He came in "grace and truth". Seems to me like we're a little heavy on the "truth" and a little light with the "grace".
I'm just saying that people, issues, and life are more complex than the Body says they are. As one who lives amidst the complexity, I can say that it's time everyone else legitimizes the fact that there IS gray area. There is an in between place. And for God sake, it's time everyone stops cloaking their judgment, pointing fingers, and refusal to even try listening to the other side of the argument with that classic guise "oh, well the Bible is clear on this issue." Since when did the Bible nullify compassion?
I've met some amazing people lately. People who love God, and are trying to live for Him. But they're also people that a vast number of Christians would shy away from, would rebuke without first showing love and compassion simply because they DON'T UNDERSTAND them and their issue. -and their lack of understanding manifests into fear, and fear into righteous indignation. Call me a radical, but I believe Jesus would have more of an issue with THOSE people than with the ones they're judging.
And can we PLEASE actually have a courageous conversation about all this? I mean seriously, so often we start discussing and then the other side goes, "oh this is just too uncomfortable, too "deep". You just need to pray more or something..." -REALLY?! Are we just afraid that we MIGHT have to perhaps admit being wrong, admit there's more than the surface level?
I don't know. These are just my thoughts...
Monday, March 8, 2010
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2 comments:
I'm right with you. As the Body of Christ, we are to LIVE LIFE together. That means going through the good, bad and ugly TOGETHER and sharing in the hurt, pain, tears, joy and happiness that comes with life. It's like Christians think they need to appear to have it all together all the time (I've felt like that before). But the truth is no one has it figured out. Life is messy. There are 8 million sinful people living in the world all with skewed perspectives on reality, religion and each other. There is no possible way we can walk through life without it being messy.
It's time the Church comes face-to-face with the messy lives of people and have a "courageous conversation" about it.
The Lord is full of grace and compassion. And I agree, we often forget about that.
I do think that at times, it's important for things to be seen as black and white. For instance, one of my good friends is a youth pastor. I found something she told me very insightful. She said when teaching jr. high, it's important to keep things very black and white. Then in high school, things can be more deep, but there still needs to be a clear distinction between "good" and "bad" because of the maturity level of the students. Then it's in college that people are able to really embrace the "gray" areas. Just a thought.
But I like what your thinking. Your thoughts are vaild.
I do like your point on the black and white, and very much agree on that -particularly in that specific school scenario.
Thanks for affirming the validity of my thoughts. ;) I needed that.
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