Perhaps this type of analogous thinking is okay for the believer who already understands that Godly change is heart change. It comes from a deep place and flourishes through the Holy Spirit. Granted, this does, at some point, mean an outpouring of that inner change into the physical realm. On this level, I get where Paul is going with his word choice: this is what it should look like! But looks can be deceiving, can't they? In fact, the screenplay I am currently working on is all about how well we hide our own brokenness and what happens when light finally penetrates darkness and that evil is unwillingly exposed.
Now, back to my original intent. The word "whatever" that is used in the aforementioned passage really gives me pause, and indigestion. It's so, well, ambiguous. I don't fare well in ambiguity. I need specifics. Details. Step by step instructions. A how-to guide complete with a 30-day, free in-home trial, companion dvds, oh, and a toll free support number where some dude in Bangladesh wittingly calls himself Bob. Paul! Why must you leave me hangin' man? I thought we were pals. I would be stuck here if it hadn't been for great books like "Practice in the Presence of God" by Brother Lawrence, (someday I will get permission to translate it into real, American English), and everything I've read by Henry Nouwen. I get it, Paul, okay? I understand that God's change is in every fiber of my being, every component of my life. His love should be evident with every breath I take.
With that settled, here comes the part you've been waiting for. THIS SCRIPTURE IS NOT TO BE USED TO EXCUSE YOU FROM BEING A REAL SERVANT. Still with me? Okay. There are two things that have become crystal clear to me in the past few weeks, (thank you Mr. and Mrs. Hatmaker and God for opening my eyes), and they are the words of Jesus himself that I cannot deny nor construe and neither can you.
Matthew 25: 31-46
34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’
Mark 10:44
And whosoever of you will be the first, shall be servant of all
Do you see what he says to the people that didn't actively care for others? He says "depart from me." If this doesn't call you to action, then, well, there is nothing I can do for you and you probably should never read my blog again. (There's no mention of those who support others who do these things, by the way. I don't know if you get points for an "assist" so to speak. So, if that's your game plan, I won't argue with you, but I will ask you to write me a check),
I believe that American culture has so invaded Christian culture that the two are nearly identical. This is what we have taught our kids: I go to school and get a good education so that I can get a good career and support my family and tithe to my church. None of this is actually right. None of it. Jesus says make yourself last! Be the servant of all! He says feed the hungry, clothe the naked, shelter the homeless. He didn't say pay someone else to do this stuff, he said DO IT! Imagine what our world would look like if even a third of the population genuinely cared for each other in these ways on a daily, real basis. Imagine what God could do with your church if each member gave an extra 3-5 hours a week in volunteering and, (here's where I get in trouble, but I'm saying it anyway), maybe didn't have such a big, nice facility that cost so much to pay for and keep up, and (here I go), maybe had ministers that went out and got "real" jobs, (love you all, but really, how much more kingdom impact do you think you could have if you worked side by side, everyday, in the trenches with people who REALLY need your words?).
Shane Claiborne, who I hope to someday interview in-depth, puts it this way: (and I am largely paraphrasing), If you want to see God, then look into the eyes of the poor, the sick, and the dying, because that's where He is.
You see, there are certain things that Jesus says that I really don't hear out loud much anymore. Is it because we fear the truth? Is it because we don't want to be inconvenienced? Is it because we don't want to feel guilty about all the nice things we have that we really don't need? YES. YES. AND YES.
I can't tell any of you how your journey is supposed to look, but I can tell you what Jesus says about my journey. I can tell you that these principles of sacrifice and servanthood are the very heart, hands and feet of our Savior. The question is, are you ready to accept it? Don't pray that prayer until you are ready for you world to be rocked!
Here's what I have come to understand: Any pursuit that does not honor God is idolatry. Any focus other than Him is myopia. Any purpose other than being a servant is an exercise in hell bound futility.
To be fair, you were warned: I'm a radical.
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