There is nothing I like better than a little project. I am
writing today with a sore finger, because I hit it with a hammer. (No one said
anything about being good at my little projects!) Still the shed is standing
proudly at the bottom of the garden, and although it isn’t watertight yet it
has survived its first night in the wilds! Hopefully the felting and the
battening will happen soon, once the wood’s had a chance to dry out.
The
practice of our Christian Faith is not a little project. It is not something we
can do, or perfect and then it is finished. The Christian faith, or
discipleship as I often call it, is a whole life adventure. It is the nurturing
of a relationship which in turn will influence the whole of your life, your
thoughts, actions and practices. As such it is more akin to a committed
marriage than to an exciting, albeit often destructive fling. Christianity is
not something that we ‘hammer’ (ow) home rather it is a love that is always
surrounding us, which we can invite to seep into our hearts and minds, so that
we are increasingly immersed in that love, and it thus becomes a key to our
very identity.
How does
this happen? Well I have been struck lately that in order for this way of life
to take root, we may need a bit of a clear out. There is probably some thinking
and attitudes that need throwing out before we then get back to some of the
basics.
I have
found reading through one of the oldest books in the New Testament, Thessalonians
very helpful. The basics are all there, God’s love for us and our loving one
another, but I’ve realised there are challenges as well. Most of us have grown
up or inherited an idea that we don’t really talk about our faith, that faith
is a private affair. A bit like a hidden fling, this is a disastrous idea. I’m
struck in Thessalonians just how public and open Paul is. The other fascinating
reality is the way Paul focuses on relationships. He is not interested in maintaining
an institution. Although there probably was a ‘church’ in Thessaloniki, Paul is
maintaining relationships, he is loving, and cajoling and teaching, ‘people’
that he clearly loves. Everything is personal, and in that sense real. Too often my thoughts equate faith with an
institution, in my case Zion. Don’t misunderstand me, I love Zion and feel
privileged, with the trust that I have been given, but Zion is people and our
relationships together and with God. Rather than to ‘fight’ or ‘labour’ for an
institution, we need to relax and enjoy and love one another. This is the real
basics of our discipleship, knowing we are loved we are relaxed and learning to
love. Or as Jesus said, come to me if you’re tired and weary. Worn out on
religion, take my yoke, my calling to love one another into your heart, for it
fits perfectly and will give you rest for your souls. (Matt 11:28-30
Paraphrased by me!)
May God
bless us as we relax, and allow God’s love to seep into our hearts.
Stephen
PS It is OK to talk about this stuff with others, our
experience is of value.
