My insides are buzzing like nervous butterflies only my bugs were fanned into action by that book
Irresistible Revolution. Shane Claiborne, the author, articulates so many things that I believe God cares about: the poor, intimacy among his believers, true faith. It was a reminder. A call to action. It ignited the knowledge within me that there is more we are called to. The ideas are so big within me that I can't summarize. But I'm fired up enough right now that if we could find people to move with us now to the East Side and start trying to love a neighborhood and the people there we would take the loss on my house and go. Some quotes that struck me
- "The question is not whether you will be a doctor or a lawyer but what kind of doctor or lawyer you will be."
- "People do not get crucified for charity. People are crucified for living out a love that disrupts the social order, that calls forth a new world. People are not crucified for helping poor people. People are crucified for joining them."
- "When the church becomes a place of brokerage rather than an organic community, she ceases to be alive. She ceases to be something we are, the living bride of Christ. The church becomes a distribution center, a place where the poor come to get stuff and the rich come to dump stuff. Both go away satisfied, but no one leaves transformed."
- "'I have come to see that we Christians are not called to safety, but we are promised that God will be with us when we are in danger, and there is no better place to be than in the hands of God.'(Shane's mother is being quoted)Perhaps the most dangerous place for a Christian to be is in safety and comfort."
I do not want to live the American Dream. I don't want to spend my years trying to make my house prettier, more comfortable, saving for retirement and an old age of relaxation. I don't want to spend my time only caring for kids, protecting them, hoping that as we go through this materialistic world they won't catch the bug of buying that bites me too. I want to live a life of loving others, helping others, living in such a way that my girls learn intrinsically God's heart for the broken and downtrodden. I can't do this without Jesus. Even if there wasn't a heaven or a hell ( and there is) I want to follow Jesus. Not just worship him, but follow him, walk in his footsteps and I am convinced its in that place joy and adventure and meaning dwell. And have you noticed how he lived? Among the rejected, without a home, touching untouchables and loving the nobodies, traveling the unsafe roads, at parties with wine and dinner parties with sinners, interacting the prostitutes. His life was gloriously
scandalous. I don't want to settle for helping others live this life. I want to live it. God has given me so many answered amazing answers to my prayers this years. What will He have for us next? I eagerly await. For now I will wait until the way is made clear. Lord I want to be part of what you do.
Oh, now that I poured out, I do recommend this book. I am only half through it and mine is borrowed. So you'll have to find your own copy =).
5 comments:
I struggle with myself sometimes - wanting to help those who are less fortunate. I used to be a social worker and saw people take advantage of the system and of other peoples good will. I would go to a home to deliver food or bus passes and saw peole with bigger tv's and better cars than me. I wish I didn't carry around that chip on my shoulder, but I do. My poor attitude was the reason I had to stop being a social worker - it is something I struggle with.
I am glad that you are on fire through the inspiration of this book. I can't wait to read about what encourages you in the second half of the book. Keep reading girl!
Chris have you read the book? and are you ready for your new job? Jackie, I know your struggles. I've seen the big TVs, the hyped up cars, the obvious abuses of the system meant to help people. I think that's were we need to pray for transformation. We need to remember and remind our hearts that fixing physical needs won't change a lifetime of bad lessons. only Christ can do that. And wow, I didn't remember you used to social work. That's a hard job.
Laura, I have not read the book, but I wrote down the title for my next read. Unfortunately, no. I want summer for a few more months. It just seemed to go by so quickly. I am excited to be in a new position, at a new school. I am praying for an easy transition period. Thanks for asking. :)
Thanks Laura for that reminder to follow jesus and he did live an wild life. I need that encouragment! I wrote down the title as well!
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