Sacramental Living

“The Crucifixion settled who and what God is; the resurrection settled that God is. And just so the crucifixion settled also who and what we are, if we are anything determinate.” — Robert Jenson

So … are you anything determinate?

As I’ve been studying and meditating on the theme for this week’s Big Idea series (“Who Is Jesus? …  The Persecuted), I’m fully aware of the tragedy that transpired Monday at Virginia Tech.  The profound sadness and sense of despair solicited by the events are palpable.

I tend to tune out much of what President Bush says in recent times due to ideological incongruities.  But yesterday, as he addressed the convocation at Va. Tech. I noticed he quoted the apostle Paul in Romans: “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”  Now, I would suspect that the President’s notions of how this plays out are different from what Paul envisions (I say this based on Bush’s penchant for military solutions to evil).  From how the Spirit speaks to me through the context of the apostle’s words, I recognize that it is not evil persons we are to do battle with.  Rather, the Church is to be on the offense against the systemic evil that results in tragedies like this recent one. How do we do that?  Well, it will certainly put us at odds with the ruling government and systems of authority.   It will be counter-intuitive to 21st-century American logic.  But it seems the Church has failed in equipping the home–the family–with the tools for spiritual formation.

The Church in America has often had little to offer in the wake of national tragedies.  A space to be quiet, some candles for a prayer, some words about life after death.  But the place of the Church is not one of help but one of truth.  If we embraced the truth that Christ is life, thereby revealing the reality of life, we might actually be able to speak truth into the family unit.  This is a truth that will equip parents with the tools of spiritual formation; equip families with the ability to endure adversity; equip children with the reality of a God who suffers with them.

I know our LORD’s heart breaks when such things happen.  Our God is a God who suffers.  This suffering affirms the reality and importance of this life.  I repent of how the Church has undercut and limited the effect of that good news.  I pray with a tangible hope that we will be enabled by Christ’s Spirit to be more truthful in the days ahead.  The answer to this prayer may even transform persecution into life.

So it’s been very windy down here along the Eastern coast for the last 24 hours.  I’m amazed at the strength of Georgia pines!  I saw some pines yesterday, probably 50 feet tall, bending at a 45-degree angle (at least) and not snapping!  Talk about flexibility …

Which brings me to the statement Jesus made: “The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit” (John 3:8).  Jesus was a master of metaphor, and this familiar one communicated to me again today.  I know that God is working; the Spirit is moving, blazing new trails, surprising me and the folks of Grace Community Church all the time.  As pastor (and someone who loves strategizing) I find myself attempting to see where God is coming from and where God is going.  If I do this long enough, I establish a set of parameters and conclusions that I expect to see fulfilled.  Today I’m reminded that the Spirit blows where it wills … I can’t see where it’s coming from nor where it’s going.  Oh, I’ll still strategize.  But I can’t be locked into my expectations.  When God is doing a new thing, the parameters and results will always be surprising.

I’m no longer interested in being “outside the box.“  I’m understanding that God doesn’t see a box … so neither will I.