Easily Missed
I talked previously about God being bigger than my best defense of Him. I’ve been freed many times by this thinking: God can handle God. In talking about how big God is, I found myself thinking about our role as people of faith in the lives of those who do not follow Christ. Why else are we placed on this earth than to usher in God’s glory through loving humanity as He does? To serve, to be spent? My life must reflect who I understand Christ to be.
You’re reading the words of one tired man of faith. I’m grateful for the ability to unplug and recharge, spend time with the grass beneath my feet, and feel the earth. This morning I was thinking about how wonderful it is that the God of the universe not only loves me but likes me. God loves and wants me so much that He found a way to keep me around. I’ve committed so much self-sabotage, yet He keeps me in His gaze. I’m grateful to be seen.
With all that said, I’m still tired. I’m tired of people defending God, people arguing on His behalf so confidently. Who knows the mind of God? I’m constantly worried about those who don’t follow Jesus. What will they think? It’s one thing to be dismissed because of our radical love and compassion (think, the ancient church); it’s another to be dismissed for lack of love and compassion. We are far more known for the latter at this moment in American church history. It’s exhausting. How can I share such sweeping theological beliefs with fellow followers of Jesus while arriving at vastly different conclusions on how we are to operate in the world because of said theological beliefs? How does this happen? Should I care? Should I weep?
I’ve been going back and forth on if I should wade into the waters of cultural debates here. Maybe I will in the coming days, but one realization has come to the surface in these exhausting times: to let go is not an act of abandonment but severe trust. Does God not care about His name? Will God not deal with the Christian institution that is the American church? May God have mercy. I don’t want Christ to be easily missed. When the world knows us as a people full of radical love and compassion, He won’t be.
I apologize for the scattered thoughts. For today, I invite you to rest. Remember that you are seen.
-L
Things worth your time:
Watch: The Bear on Hulu may be my favorite show of the year. We’ve got five more months to find out.
Listen: I recently stumbled across KIRBY and have been mesmerized ever since.
Read: I’m staring Under Milk Wood today. I’ll report back on my findings.