We’re Expecting!

Now before I give my Mother-in-law a heart attack, let me clarify: WE ARE NOT PREGNANT. In fact, I’m really not talking about babies or pregnancy at all…well, not entirely. The thing is, I’m about to be an aunt. My first niece is due in just a few weeks, and I couldn’t be more excited. Every day I wonder: when will she come? What will she look like? When will I get to hold her for the first time? I’ve never been an aunt before, and there is something remarkably thrilling about the notion. Perhaps I was so nervous about becoming a mom that I wasn’t able to live into the joyful anticipation that I’m feeling now about my sister-in-law’s coming labor.

The thing about pregnancy is that you know something incredible is on the way. The ever increasing swell of the mother’s belly reminds everyone around her that something powerful, something miraculous, something even dangerous is about to take place. And the mother knows better than anyone! With every kick and wiggle, every twinge and cramp, she revels in the undeniable affirmation that a miraculous life, full of hope and promise, lives and grows inside of her.

All this ruminating about my niece’s arrival got me thinking about the Church. More specifically, it got me thinking about the worshiping life of the Church. You see, the Church is pregnant, too. We are on the verge of the age to come. A rebirth of creation when God will restore all things and make them new. Paul speaks about our “condition” is Romans 8:

²² For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. ²³ And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. ²⁴ For in this hope we were saved. 

We eagerly await the consummation of the ages. At the same time, we are already a part of that coming reality. Our belly is swelling with the evidence that God, the indwelling Spirit, is already in the process of renewing and remaking us. The “first fruits of the Spirit” confirm that we are, in fact, God’s beloved children.

When we gather together in worship and prayer, the Spirit wiggles and kicks, reminding of us of the life we are to nurture…the expectation we are to possess. At times, the Spirit’s movement is quiet and nudging; occasionally, it’s abrupt and painful. The signs and symptoms all point to the same reality: something miraculous, something dangerous is about to take place as God’s people gather together. With every kick and wiggle, every twinge and cramp, the Church should revel in the undeniable affirmation that a miraculous life, full of promise and hope, lives and grows inside of her.

But wait, there’s a problem: the Church often forgets that she’s pregnant! 

After having two kids, this is not so surprising to me. When I came to the end of my second pregnancy, it truly felt like I would remain pregnant forever. You get so used to the big belly, the kicks, the waddling. It’s easy to forget that the movement you keep feeling or the pressure on your always-full bladder actually MEANS something significant – that it represents a precious LIFE inside. The thrill of early pregnancy was gone for me, and I just felt tired and fat.

In many instances, I’m afraid that’s how we Christians feel when we enter into worship – tired and fat. We kneel, we pray, we eat, we leave. But how often do we stop and pay attention to the kicks of the Spirit? How often do we find ourselves astounded at the realization that the bread we eat is the body of our Savior? The God with whom we speak is the Creator of the universe? When we walk into the nave, dipping our fingers in the font or genuflecting at our pew, are we also filled with expectancy and hope? Do we kneel with bated breath, waiting for God to move powerfully, even dangerously? Do we yearn for God to speak to us, to change us, to fill and feed us? If I am honest, I must admit that I am guilty of forgetting about the Church’s “condition” more often than not. I am guilty of entering worship in complacency and inattention.

Lent is coming. It’s the season when we journey together toward Golgotha, toward death, and ultimately toward rebirth. My commitment is to pay attention to the kicks and wiggles during this Lenten season. I want to feel the swell of the Church’s belly and the movement of the Spirit within her. I ask that God would give me an attitude of expectation and restlessness, granting me eyes to see and ears to hear what the Spirit wants to do and say.

Because here’s the thing: God is always moving powerfully…the question is, are we paying attention?

A Prayer Before Worship:

O Almighty God, who pours out on all who desire it the spirit of grace and of supplication: Deliver us, when we draw near to thee, from coldness of heart and wanderings of mind, that with steadfast thoughts and kindled affections we may worship thee in spirit and in truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP 833)

Jesus Taste Test

Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. I Corinthians 16:13

This morning, I found myself discouraged as I browsed my Facebook feed – overwhelmed with how drastically my worldview and faith differ from the people and culture around me. Yes, part of this reaction has to do with the recent Grammy Awards show. I didn’t watch it, but saw lots of comments praising the show’s stand against those who would “play God” by opposing marriage equality. “Love is Love,” after all, and God loves everyone. It’s hard to argue with that, right? Because the fact of the matter is, God does love everyone. And the debate over homosexuality is certainly NOT the only place my faith comes into question. In fact, I find myself discouraged and confused more and more often…watching the news…talking with friends…reading endless debates on Facebook. I increasingly wonder: “How will I ever teach my children to hold firm to the Christian Faith when the world around them vehemently disapproves? How can I protect them from a society (and even from other professing Christians) who label them as hateful bigots, judgmental, and ignorant?” Pondering these thoughts over my beloved cup of morning coffee, I was suddenly struck with a feeling of foolishness. Of course the world will oppose my faith. Of course our culture will revile and insult me. More specifically, the powers of darkness and the devil who rules this world, will do everything possible to sway the security and confidence of my faith. It has always been so. (For examples, see THE BIBLE). I cannot protect my children from such worldly opposition, nor should I want to.

I am incredibly sheltered from the kind of horrible persecution that countless believers face across the globe. Because of this, it’s easy to forget that I’m SUPPOSED to be divergent…no matter the cost. Here in America, we (Christians included) are enamored with accepting and being ACCEPTED by everyone. We never want to offend anyone for fear that they might stop liking us (yours truly is definitely guilty of this). “Political Correctness” and “Tolerance” have become our idols…little gods before whom we readily bow and obey. In an effort to appease these powerful “gods,” we have decided to make Jesus more “palatable.” Like airbrushing a photo, we like to smooth Him out around the edges…make His message easier to swallow. Jesus has become his own Baskin Robbins shop, with “31 flavors” of fun to try. Depending on whom we are around, we choose our Jesus carefully. For the sake of “love” we shut our mouths; we avoid conflict over areas of disagreement; we pretend we all believe the same. But we don’t. We just don’t. The Church and the World are oil and water. (For examples, see THE BIBLE).

Yes, Yes, I hear you protesting loud and clear, “But how do we know which ‘flavor’ is the right one?” Who am I to arrogantly decide that a certain version of Jesus is correct? Simply put, I am not the one to decide. That, my friend, is another blog post all together (or perhaps a book or two or ten). An adequate discussion would necessarily include the sacred Scripture, the Creeds, the Church Councils, and the teaching of the Holy Fathers…at the very least. BUT one thing I do know is what Jesus DOESN’T taste like…He doesn’t taste PLEASING or DESIRABLE to the world (to those who are non-believers). Jesus said that the world would hate His followers…they would hate us because they HATED Him.

If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you:‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.21 But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me. (John 5:18-21)

It stands to reason, then, that we should be at least a little bit suspicious, if the “Jesus” being preached is readily accepted and embraced by the world (i.e. the media). It is tempting, oh so tempting, to go for the sweet, delicious “chocolate chunk Jesus”…the Jesus that agrees with everyone and doesn’t demand any discomfort or sacrifice on our part. The problem is, “chocolate chunk Jesus” is poisonous…his message goes down well enough, but kills us in the end. It is a false Jesus…an “anti-Christ,” if you will. Paul warned us not to be swayed by easy and appetizing beliefs:

3 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, 4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. 5 As for you, always be sober-minded,endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. (2 Timothy 4:3-5)

I pray the Lord would make me brave enough to disagree with the world around me…to teach my kids to disagree, boldly and  LOVINGLY. I pray that God would empower me to care less about people liking me and more about submitting to His reign and authority. I want my children to see that the real Jesus doesn’t conform Himself to the most fashionable beliefs of the moment (and neither should we; see Romans 12:1-2). The real Jesus isn’t “chocolate chunk” or “strawberry swirl” or whatever else we want Him to be. The real Jesus was and is offensive and challenging enough to the sentiments of society that people wanted to kill him…not hold his hand and sing “Kum ba yah.” That’s the Jesus I want to follow…even if  when it’s really hard.

One last and important note: as I’ve said, the real Jesus was/is offensive, but He does not advocate or command violence. He promised that the world would persecute His followers – NOT the other way around. Having strong convictions does not mean forcing my beliefs on others, acting violently, or persecuting those who disagree. It is a sad, sad thing when people con