Is Christianity Impossible?
I came across a new book this week that I’ll order in due time. It’s by Kevin DeYoung and the title is worth the price of admission. Impossible Christianity: Why following Jesus does not mean you have to change the world, be an expert in everything, accept spiritual failure, and feel miserable pretty much all the time. That’s a mouthful and quite a promise.
DeYoung’s point is that we mere mortals can easily get overwhelmed with all the prompts to live better, and challenges to make a difference, to exercise our bodies and minds, and consistently make connections with the folks we encounter (and if these emails add to that load...I'm sorry, not the intent). Not one of these chunks is bad advice, but collectively they can produce a burdened life that doesn’t come close to looking like an abundant life. We can end up carrying around a load of mental and emotional expectations we are neither built for nor meant to carry. God can morph into more of a taskmaster than a Savior.
In the review I read, DeYoung is quoted,
“Salvation is all grace from start to finish. But reveling in God’s grace does not mean we should revel in being spiritual failures. He does not mean for us to be constantly overwhelmed. He does not mean for us to feel guilty all the time. God never intended for Christianity to be impossible.”
Those of you reading this who live intentionally to walk closer with Jesus run the risk of exchanging busy-ness for relationship. We live in a time of incredible access to more information (and needs) than we could address in a hundred lifetimes. At our fingertips on a smartphone flow unending reels of fires in Maui, or floods in Libya, or suffering migrants desperate for help, or the plight of the trafficked, not to mention the needs seen on local news feeds of people crushed by life or living on the streets. Tack that onto personal “to do” lists of self improvement and spiritual development, or navigating family dynamics, and one’s life can become a drudge, a slog, simply hanging on until a payoff in the next life.
That’s not what this life is to be. When Jesus says,
“Come unto me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light,”
he is not calling us to just add another yoke to your overwhelmed shoulders (and heart). He’s calling for an exchange. In a relationship with Jesus where, because of our new standing with him we live without condemnation before the Father, he calls each one to simply love him and love others, today.
You cannot change the world, but in freely living the life God has given you, you can nudge your corner of the world toward Jesus as you pick up the quiet and ordinary obedience of one of his followers. Built into a believer’s DNA is the simple desire for the pleasure of being one of God’s children and watching him work in the world and marveling at it all. He is a kind, generous, and merciful God. Take a bit of time and simply bask in that sunlight, warmed by his goodness to you. Remind yourself that your life’s worth is not measured by a checked-off to-do list, but has been measured as a child is guided by a loving, teaching parent.
So, friend, this morning let me encourage you to examine your heart. Look for signs that you have bought into an impossible faith life. When Paul says in Romans that “there is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus”, he speaks of you and to you. Guilt never produces fruit like freedom can. This morning, invest some time curled up in the lap of the Father who loves you. Visit with the Savior who gave his life for you. Open up to the Spirit for his encouragement to face your today, today.
He is not in a hurry to get to the next appointment. Why should you?
How about some music...
And a joke or two...
A minister decided that a visual demonstration would add emphasis to his Sunday sermon.
Four worms were placed into four separate jars.
The first worm was put into a container of alcohol.
The second worm was put into a container of cigarette smoke
The third worm was put into a container of chocolate syrup.
The fourth worm was put into a container of good clean soil
At the conclusion of the sermon, the Minister reported the following results:
The first worm in alcohol - Dead
The second worm in cigarette smoke - Dead
Third worm in chocolate syrup - Dead
Fourth worm in good clean soil - Alive
So the minister asked the congregation, "What can you learn from this demonstration?"
Maxine was sitting in the back, quickly raised her hand and said, "As long as you drink, smoke, and eat chocolate, you won't have worms!"
That pretty much ended the service.
__________
A bandit made a specialty of crossing the Rio Grande from time to time and robbing banks in Texas. Finally, a reward was offered for his capture.
An enterprising Texas Ranger decided to track him down.
After a lengthy search, he traced the bandit to his favorite cantina, snuck up behind him, put his trusty six-shooter to the bandit's head and said, "You're under arrest. Tell me where you hid the loot or I'll blow your brains out."
But the bandit didn't speak English and the Ranger didn't speak Spanish! Fortunately, a bilingual lawyer was in the saloon and translated the Ranger's message.
The terrified bandit blurted out, in Spanish, that the loot was buried under the oak tree in back of the cantina.
"What did he say?" asked the Ranger.
The lawyer answered, "He said, 'Get lost, you turkey. You wouldn't dare shoot me.'"