I've been debating writing this post, for I know it will be a controversy for many. This week I recklessly read the book, Irresistible Revolution by Shane Claiborne. Shane is a passionate, fuming, beautiful, wretched, and broken person with a strong desire to seek out Christ's heart and the literal way we are to follow Christ. Shane grew up in a "normal Christian" home and church, which he found to be incredibly un-fulfilling. In college, Shane explored his desire to "be Jesus with skin on" and went with his friends to downtown Philadelphia to do night life with the homeless there. The more time he spent in the "dangerous places" in Philly, the more he experienced real life and real love. He has continued to live his life in the pursuit of Christ. He has lived with Mother Teresa in Calcutta, loving on the lepers and hanging out with the little Indian kids there. He has gone to Iraq several times during the midst of war to love on the citizens there. Shane has also started a community in Philly, called the Simple Way (http://www.thesimpleway.org/). The Simple Way is a house and a home, a family and a community. They house the homeless, feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and simply love each other.
Now I am not writing this post to glorify Shane's work or even to admire his pursuit after Christ, rather, I am blown away by his argument for a world in need of a new revolution, a world that revolves around love and community. I think all of us believe in and even desire a "changed world", but I feel that we are just sitting here, waiting for something to happen. Please know that I am just as guilty of this as anyone, but that I do desire a changed world, sooner than later. We see movies like "Crash" and "Hotel Rwanda" that expose us to the ugliness of our world. We join movements like The ONE Campaign, or read about things like the UN Millennium Development Goals that inform us of global poverty. We read books, hear from speakers, listen to sermons, etc. These things are great and do an okay job of making us aware of our world crisis, but it still seems that most of us fail to live out our dream world, the world that Christ calls us to create.
In Shane's book, he describes our world as "independent and materialistic", while we ought to rely on "interdependence and sacrificial sharing". His constant argument is that if we are focused on loving one another, then provisions will be met, harmony will echo, and our world will soon be changed. One thing I have realized is how much the community of Harmons reflects this idea of harmony and love. Experiencing a week down here, (let alone an entire summer), we are given a glimpse of true community. We see for perhaps the first time true love and true relationships that are based solely on love for our neighbor. We are able to provide for those who have little and love them as Jesus loves us all. I know this is getting lengthy, but I urge you to find and consider what Christ has literally called us to for this world. He is a God of love; a God who loves the righteous and a God who loves the wretched.
"Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."
Ephesians 5:1-2
This will be my last post for a while. We will be gone all next week. Please keep the staff in your prayers as we retreat and rest for a week...
One Love,
Lace
Saturday, June 30, 2007
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1 comment:
I love this post! Have fun on your retreat!
Love,
Ally
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