Another Way?

Was happy for the opportunity to share this morning at Eikon. First, it gives Tony a much needed rest from the demands of speaking every week. It doesn't make sense to ask a pastor to preach week-in, and week-out. It only ends up hurting the body. Second, I do enjoying sharing what's been on my heart and mind.

Anywho, Mike shared this past sunday, did an excellent job speaking from Bonhoeffer's "Ethics". Had some great insights from the book. He gave a great example from Rob Bell about giving flowers to someone. It's not the act of flower giving, it's the symbol of the flowers, hopefully the heart. Likewise, we easily get sucked into doing Christian things without ever realizing why we do them other than that's just the way it is. We give the flowers, but don't offer our hearts to the Lord.

A few months ago I heard Bell share some thoughts that I posted about "turning the other cheek". It really captured me and I've spent the last few months enjoying a new perspective on Jesus. People aren't often attracted to Christianity anymore, but they certainly are fascinated with this poor Jewish Rabbi from Nazareth.

I spoke on our "fight or flight" mentality. We typically choose a more passive approach to conflict as Christians, or some choose to fight; return aggression with more aggression. Interestingly, this passivity has it's influence from early english translations of scripture. The writers didn't want to show the subversiveness of Christ's message, in fear of the powerful monarchy and uprising of the peasantry. This passive translation still has affect today.

I often find myself in a passive mode. I'm so sensitive to pushing my faith on others because it may appear too evangelistic. As a result, I'll back away more often than approach an opportunity to share or a conflict that arises. That's my own personal baggage that I carry with me, a challenge I often face.

I remember when I was in Fort Myers a few years back, and I'd be downtown at one of the local pubs. On a few occasions, I was approached by Christians that wanted to share their faith with me. I just remember thinking to myself, "is this what we look like when we talk about God?"

What happens in "turning the other cheek", or "walking the extra mile", or "giving your shirt as well?" Don't necessarily fight. Don't give in. Jesus says, "here's another way".

In each case, the oppressor is given two options: recognize the other as an equal, and thus restoring their humanity. Or, go on oppressing and risk being deeply shamed and humiliated in society. Either way, you're giving another the chance to reconcile themselves to their own morality, their own understanding of what it means to be human. You are giving yourself and another the opportunity to restore peace, or rightness with one another as it was always intended to by God.

This has deep conviction about how, we as seekers and followers of Christ should approach social inequality and gross human rights violations throughout the world and in our own backyards.

I love those "whoa" moments when reading scripture. Suddenly a layer is lifted from your eyes and you know you'll not see things the same way again. Matthew 5:38-41 has done that for me.

I'll not bore you anymore:)