God Between the Lines

There should be a warning issued to everyone when they become a Christian. WARNING: What you currently know will radically change. You are going to learn that many of the things you thought were most important no longer carry much weight. Furthermore, those things you placed little value on will suddenly become very significant. I, for one, was not aware of this when I first accepted Christ. Then again, my awareness of many things was limited. My problem, the one I believe I share with virtually every human being, is self-centeredness. We all tend to operate from this perspective. This resulted in a limited vision of God’s ways. I failed to see God “between-the-lines”. I certainly believed God was at work in the world, but I kept it pretty much “black and white”. So, I interpreted my faith walk as a personal responsibility. If it was to be it was up to me. You were in the same boat. You do your thing, I’ll do mine (to the best of our limited abilities).

Messin’ with your mind Jesus turns this thinking upside down and inside out. For some time I failed to perceive this. Real followers of Christ live for God and for others. We must give up our selfish desires. We are told to die to our self. This is pretty strong stuff and it is not surprising that so many reject it. If Christ is indeed the Universal Pattern, the Cosmic Way that brings us into union with a loving and eternal God, then we need to heed very closely His teachings. The way is revealed in the Bible, but it must take root in our hearts and in the very core of our (soul) being. The teaching is more than words in Scripture. The words give us the message, yes, but until it is lived and learned by “hearing” it with our hearts then it is merely a nice philosophy, code of ethics or moral teaching. It is foolishness to think this Truth is not also written into the pattern of life all around us. We must learn to recognize and discern God’s truth. Often it is only in experiencing the conflict between our selfish ways (apart from God) and true love for others (union with God) that we “get” it. Understand that and you have a greater appreciation of what recovering addicts, alcoholics, in fact, what many destitute and broken people have discovered. In the admission of powerlessness there is power I really believe God wants us to know Him in the most intimate way possible. Jesus spoke of this in John 14:21-26. He told his disciples that anyone who loves him and follows his commandments (the “way of Christ”) will be loved by God the Father, and by Christ. They will come and make their dwelling in us. With the unity of the Holy Spirit we learn and are reminded of all truth. This kind of language is beautiful and carries a great and wonderful sentiment. However, sentimentality is not the point. Discovering that our true self/real self is being in union with God through Christ, and having the Spirit dwell in us as our advocate is the only way that we can truly follow the Way! What happens to many new Christians is they are taught they must follow certain rules, conditions and commandments and that they must convince others to do so, too. Instead of opening up our minds and hearts to the magnificent and incredible vastness of God’s truth we are taught a narrow judgmental way. I’m sure this is done with the best of intentions and often without recognizing the limitations. In the name of Jesus and obedience we are often taught uniformity. This lays the trap for strict and unbending fundamentalism and from this pulpit a message of “we are right and you are wrong” messages get preached. Instead, we should be taught to embrace unity. It is the very diversity of the Body of Christ that brings about wholeness and holiness. It’s more than coincidence these words are so similar.

Seeming contradictions To live a holy and whole life means embracing a paradox. It means accepting the sum of your life is much, much more than the sum of your individual talents. It’s more than your efforts and works; more even than your gifts. It’s the way of the meek, the humble, and the servant. Accept this and invite persecution and suffering…and the grace to support you. Holy and whole lets you discover how you are a part of the great tapestry of life. Even if you are a most colorful thread you are not the weaver. So, you discover you must die to self – but rise again in a renewed and resurrected self, a cosmic corporate self of which you are a significant part. However, no part is more important than the other. All are necessary: the hands, feet, eyes, ears and on and on. We are just not meant to live a life of rugged individualism, no matter how appealing that may be. We are called (some say “chosen”) by God to a new way that is really living, and yet, it seems to be so opposite of the pursuits we consider make up a noteworthy life. Material possessions, knowledge, power and lives of leisure miss the point. Free yourself from their bondage! When you do and you give all of you to God you will often be surprised at what you get in return. You might very well receive back some of what you gave up, only now you’ll see that you are but a steward of those gifts and they are not just for your personal benefit. They are to be used for the good of all. This is life with a new freedom and a real meaning. Sometime, somewhere when you least expect it In your search for God between-the-lines be careful not to exclude opportunities to find the sacred presence in the places you least expect them. I must admit I’ve learned some very valuable spiritual lessons from many who would not identify themselves as Christians. Does this mean the lessons were not from God? My attention often needs to be drawn back to the promise that we are all beloved sons and daughters of God (Ephesians 4:4-6). We only have to accept this and live the life of love we are called to.