Christianity, as most of us have heard it preached and consequently experienced it, is presented as a way out. It is a way out when it comes to hell. It is a way out of the negative consequences of our bad choices. A way to avoid unnecessary pain or the evil that exists in the world around us.
Is that all that there is to it?
We make a decision, a profession and then wait for Jesus to return or death to come. What if it is more a way in than a way out? It is clear that Jesus never saw “follower-ship” as a way to esacape anything. It was a way to engage life, head on.
This message from last Sunday at CLC discusses the difference between escapism and engagement …
I did my first 9-hour trip to the bank this week. The people in the branch were wonderful. I needed to do some banking re: a compromised client card and other miscellaneous items on my mother’s behalf. For an hour and 15 minutes I stood at the counter. One of my tasks was a stop payment on my mother’s rent payment. I was told that this could not be done at the branch and directed to a phone number on the back of my client card.
The next morning I called the number and explained the reason for my call. I was told that this had to be done tin person at the branch. After taking a deep breath, I explained to the person on the phone that I was in the branch the previous day and told that it couldn’t be done there. This gentleman was sympathetic and helpful. The short story is that things were worked out so that another 9-hour excursion was not required.
On the way home a good friend sat next to me. The conversation drifted into a verbal lament regarding the erosion of society, the fact that were were on a slippery slope headed for destruction. I shared with my friend that I just could not allow myself to see the world that way. it’s no wonder people are desperate, despairing and depressed with such a dismal outlook. I have been accused of having my head in the sand. My response is that others believing they have a realistic out look, have their heads in the sewer. I’d rather have my head in the sand.
To believe God is in control is surely an exercise in faith. The storm panicked disciples saw the storm and could not believe that Jesus was asleep in the back of the boat while they all were in peril. This is forever the challenge of faith … are we influenced more by the storm or the presence of the Saviour in our lives. Hope requires a clear reliance on our relationship with Christ rather than a cynical perspective on the world around us.
And as the people of God we are to traffic in Hope.
