You have troubles.
I know you do. Me too. Life rarely feels how we think it should, and the hurdles to overcome seem to never end. If you could use a breath of air this morning, spend a few moments with my friend Cody.
Then get out there one more time!
I’m not a huge Oprah fan, though I do appreciate a number of her efforts. Recently, she hosted Rick Warren, who in turn, brought Nick Vujicic.
Wherever you are today, whatever you feel is limiting your life or outrightly stealing it away from you, this is more than a tad inspiring.
Go in strength, my friends. God is your Maker, Provider, and Companion. And with Him, nothing is impossible.
One facet of Christianity that rubs hard on many twenty-first-century minds is summed up tightly in this word: Exclusivity.
In a world of nearly infinite options, it seems unthinkable to some that one should feel “pigeon-holed” when it comes to the salvation. And so we hang on the walls of our minds scenes of mountains with multiple paths of ascent or heavenly cloud-scapes reached by seven billion-plus uniquely crafted ladders.
In a sense, our hearts long for a return to the Tower of Babel, a design-as-you-wish blueprint that, if you are faithful in your efforts, will surely deliver you to whatever awaits “up there”. “All roads lead to God” is the common tongue of every labourer on this scaffolding.
But as in Genesis 11, the word “gibberish” is quickly associated with this scenario.
In a twist on this discussion, Vinoth Ramathandra (a man to whom Timothy Keller introduced me) addresses an associated critique of Christianity, one that depicts religion as being dissociated from the “real world”, as being obsessed with the “spiritual” and out-of-touch, even inappropriately unconcerned, with the here-and-now world.
Ramathandra’s response will induce a pause for both hearty believers and hardened skeptics:
“Christian salvation lies not in an escape from this world but in the transformation of this world. You will not find hope for this physical world in any other religious system or philosophy. The biblical vision is unique. And that is why if someone says, ‘Surely there is salvation in other faiths,’ I always ask them, ‘What salvation are you talking about?’
Not this salvation.
No faith holds out a promise of eternal salvation for the world like the cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ do.”
Christianity, if personified, is not the arrogant or presumptuous jerk that some portray, despite the fact that you may have met arrogant and presumptuous jerks with Bibles in hand.
Rather, Christian doctrine is unique by its very nature. You can narrow your gaze on a concept like love or goodness, and then preach on the “common truth” that underlies all religions and philosophies, but you will only be adding to the static. An observation like Ramathandra’s tunes in tighter to the signal and in turn, heightens the dialog.
For Christian fundamentalists, it highlights the care of God toward His current creation. Unlike humanity, God is not always racing ahead to “what’s next”. He deeply loves “what is” and is working for its redemption. For cynics of Christianity, such doctrine at least forces a reconsideration of the concept of hope.
What well do you draw yours from, not just for yourself but for the world in which you live?
Is there any?
Is it wrapped solely in the evolution and development of humanity? Strictly in scientific discovery? An alternative philosophy? A different religion?
YOUR TURN: What do you make of Ramathandra’s assessment of Christianity’s unique tone of hope for this world? Christian or not, what are you striving to do/be as an agent of hope in our world? Your input makes this post better!
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For three years now, our church has created an Advent Blog each December. Articles and reflections have been submitted through those years by members and friends of our congregation, on a variety of topics tied to the Advent season. You are most welcome to join us in this annual pilgrimage toward Christmas.
Below is a piece I submitted earlier this week.
[ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Jason Bandura works with the Glen Elm Church of Christ. Married to Shannon, he is Dad to three lovely daughters. He lives on the Canadian prairies and writes occasionally HERE.]
One frequent connection is to the waiting of pregnancy, often observed graphically in Mary’s most literal waiting for the birth of Jesus. Metaphorically, Scripture feeds into this theme with its declaration that the whole of creation is groaning, as if in the birthing process (Romans 8:22).
Regarding the Advent theme of Christian hope, Peter uses similar imagery to vividly drive home its shocking nature:
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade – kept in heaven for you. (1 Peter 1:3-4)
Welcome to the weekend, and thanks for spending some time “Wandering & Wondering”.
This week’s Six-Pack features the usual: A half-dozen of the best articles I’ve read this week–mostly faith-focused or ministry-geared, with a bit of who-knows-what tossed in!
This week’s load:
1) Good News VS Good Advice
The Gospel is only one of these, and it is amazingly easy to get this mixed up.
2) Four Results of Christ’s Ascension
A couple years back, a friend called. He had been assigned to preach a sermon about the significance of Christ’s Ascension. We both agreed that we’d heard much about Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection, but somehow the Ascension had always been treated as something of an assumed afterthought. If I could go back, I might at least send him to this piece as a starter.
3) Why Do Christians Need to Make it All Better?
Many believers rush through pain to get to the hope. But is that the best way?
4) Fake Love, Fake War: Why So Many Men Are Addicted to Internet Porn and Video Games
I’ve seen at least a few articles recently based on this same pile of research. This is some insightful stuff on what makes men tick AND why these two counterfeits are so dangerous in how they impact those who consume them.
5) The Story of Send
Ever wonder what happens to your email after you hit the “Send” button? If so, you might be interested by this entry from Google Green. Ironically, following the story takes far longer than actually sending and receiving an email in the first place, but it’s a pretty entertaining way to learn something new.
6) How Mosquitoes Survive Collisions with Raindrops
Mosquito to raindrop equals person to school bus. How would you deal with such mid-air meetings if you could fly? Should that ever be useful information, this post is for you. For the rest of us, it’s just for fascination’s sake.
Enjoy your weekend, friends, through renewing yourself and reverencing God.