Earlier this week Frannie and I spent the day in Boulder. Many Christians might say "why would you spend a day in Boulder?" If I told them we hung out on Pearl Street, they might immediately leave if I told them this in person. What would cause them to respond this way?
Pearl Street is one of the most eclectic places I know. It probably rules in this category in Colorado. Monday was an amazing sight on the Pearl Street Mall. People were everywhere, wearing multi colored everything, playing about every musical instrument you could think of, laying on the grass and probably doing more than that with grass. There was quite a bit of affection being shown, dreadlocks were plentiful. It was a perfect time to be there unless...
I commented to Frannie that I believe this is exactly where Jesus would be today. Most of the people on the mall were looking for ways to enjoy the warm day and find something resembling meaning or maybe they were escaping the deadly boredom that they knew was coming the next day as they returned to work. Many of these people were definitely marginalized types. Most believers would at the worst stay as far away from them as possible and at the best look another way as they passed by.
All I can say is that I felt more energy being there than I had for some time. My heart went out to the people trying to grab something to make life have a point. Jesus came for people like this. In fact he was more comfortable with them than those who thought they had figured out what special place they would have with him later. He made all the colors.
This might take you out of your comfort but after a few conversations with some of these Jesus loves and died for, you would change your mind. How could you not love these people when Jesus does?
Check out Matthew 9:9-13 and John 2:1-11
Where are you engaging those people who are ignored or avoided? You can be certain that the places and people we want to avoid is exactly where Jesus would be and who he would be helping figure out life.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Monday, January 5, 2009
Where are you having dinner today?
Seems like a common question we ask. We usually have some place in mind when someone asks us. Maybe Red Robin or Rasta Pasta or maybe at home or maybe...
Maybe it depends on who is asking the question. How about one of our friends who is not yet following Jesus? And what if it is at their house with several of their friends? And what if they serve something that is not on our acceptable religious list? Sound interesting or scary? What if it is with a religious person who we know we have disagreements with about what the Christian life is supposed to look like?
In Luke 11:37 Jesus is invited to have a meal with a religious type, but one who is not following Jesus. You didn't check your watch to see how long you had been there when you were invited to someone's house for a meal in Jesus' day. You planned to stay a while. Jesus goes but does not follow the rules-he didn't wash before the meal. This surprised the religious guy. It seems that Jesus got a kick out of surprising people who thought they knew what it was all about. He was not trying to draw attention to himself but knew there was something he wanted to say and this would definitely stir the pot.
It is easy to talk about the need for courageous change but when someone gets serious about it and we realize that this will disrupt our comfortable lifestyle or others' comfortable lifestyles, do we back away from it? At this dinner party, Jesus was about to say some things that would guarantee his not being invited to another of their dinner parties.
When God speaks to us about something that we know will probably not be accepted by other believers, we need to act on it anyway...not to cause trouble, but to help people see what are the critical issues in following Jesus. We need to be clear however on what God has said to us.
Maybe it depends on who is asking the question. How about one of our friends who is not yet following Jesus? And what if it is at their house with several of their friends? And what if they serve something that is not on our acceptable religious list? Sound interesting or scary? What if it is with a religious person who we know we have disagreements with about what the Christian life is supposed to look like?
In Luke 11:37 Jesus is invited to have a meal with a religious type, but one who is not following Jesus. You didn't check your watch to see how long you had been there when you were invited to someone's house for a meal in Jesus' day. You planned to stay a while. Jesus goes but does not follow the rules-he didn't wash before the meal. This surprised the religious guy. It seems that Jesus got a kick out of surprising people who thought they knew what it was all about. He was not trying to draw attention to himself but knew there was something he wanted to say and this would definitely stir the pot.
It is easy to talk about the need for courageous change but when someone gets serious about it and we realize that this will disrupt our comfortable lifestyle or others' comfortable lifestyles, do we back away from it? At this dinner party, Jesus was about to say some things that would guarantee his not being invited to another of their dinner parties.
When God speaks to us about something that we know will probably not be accepted by other believers, we need to act on it anyway...not to cause trouble, but to help people see what are the critical issues in following Jesus. We need to be clear however on what God has said to us.
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