Processing Life

 How accurate are you at processing life as it happens?   I’m sure you’re a pro.

    My daughter brought a graphic novel home from her school’s library this week, and she gave me a weird look when I asked her, “What is it teaching you?” 

“Nothing.  It’s not a teaching kind of a book, dad.”

   Whether we know it or not, and whether we intend it or not, the stories we tell do in fact teach a message.  As we looked at it together, it was making rather strong statements about good and evil, right and wrong, sin and righteousness.

   Many of the people who read my writings have read at least some of The Bible.  If you are among such people and if you look at The Bible for what it is, it isn’t a book of doctrine or systematic theology.  It is a book composed largely of stories.  Stories were even one of Christ’s greatest methods of teaching.

   Other than the parables of Christ, the stories we read about in Scripture are true stories.  So I often feel that our ability to grow as believers depends largely on our ability to process life itself.   We learn and we teach each other, whether intentionally or not, by the very lives we live, and the light in which we view life’s narrative.  The brush that paints the picture, often proves to be more significant than the events of the story itself.

   When we read life stories told from God’s perspective, it looks different than when the same events are told elsewhere.   Evil is called as evil, and righteousness as righteousness.  Dark is called dark, and light is called light.

  As we looked closer at my daughter’s graphic novel, in a very noticeable fashion, dark was portrayed as being light, and light was presented as if it were the darkness.  Similarly, sin was presented as if it were the right thing to do.  For a piece that wasn’t supposed to teach anything, it made some very strong statements.

     I have no idea whether or not the author had crafted his story with the intent of making sin look right.  I find it more likely, that in his heart, he really saw nothing wrong with sin, and wasn’t intentionally trying to convince someone of his way of thinking.  It just happens on its own.

  Similarly, our lives teach whether we know it or not; whether we intend it or not.  For all of the teaching I do, I get more feedback where people have been challenged, just from watching how I make decisions, love my children and live out my faith in Christ.  Likewise, more often than not, I find myself being convicted of sin, not by the preacher’s words, but from the conviction of a close friend. 

  Depending on the company we keep, it works the other way as well.  It’s easy to find comfort in our depravity when it’s affirmed in the lives of those who walk with us. 

  Considering that scripture is made up of real stories, written by God’s real people, I often find it odd when I hear of people who say that life’s experiences tell a different tale.  If your life’s story doesn’t sound like God’s story, why is that?      

  If you’re drawing different conclusions about life than God does, who’s wrong?

 

Alien Love Lessons:What I've Been Writing Lately

    I saw an old friend today.  Well, he’s not old.  He’s my age.  It might be old......Oh never mind.  He asked me a question that a lot of people have been asking lately.  I don’t remember his exact phrasing, but it went something like this, “So do you see yourself writing any more books in the near future?”

  I gave him the typical answer.  “No.  Nothing seems to be coming for the moment.”

   It’s strange.  I’ve actually been writing a lot lately.  It just doesn’t seem like writing.  I’m trying to put together a study guide for Alien Love, and for some reason, it just doesn’t seem to count.   I guess I should change my answer next time.  “Yes.  Yes I am writing.”

  In a weird way, putting together a study guide seems to take more thought and preparation than composing the actual book itself.  If you’re interested, I’ll give a peek at a short section of the guide where I share the vision, not only for the book, or the study, but for my life’s work in general. 

The Vision

If you’re serious about this, which I hope you are, allow me the privilege of sharing my personal vision, not just for “my group”, or “your group”, but for the church as a whole.  It’s a vision which I endeavor to strive towards, and will continue to do so until it is achieved.  It is a vision, not of a dream, but of a past reality, and one which will find its perfect fulfillment when we stand with Christ in glory.  It is a picture of a people who are right with God and with each other. 

When you read the passage I am about to share with you, I urge you to treasure it.  Place it in that special place in your heart.  Imagine it to be the kind of photograph that would sit on the mantle above the fireplace in your grandfather’s home, holding the very snapshot of a precious moment captured in time.  It is the image of a people who, if but for a historical moment, loved each other well.

Acts 2:42-47 (NLT)

The Believers Form a Community

⁴² All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.

⁴³ A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. ⁴⁴ And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. ⁴⁵ They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. ⁴⁶ They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity— ⁴⁷ all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.

            Humour me a little longer.  Take the picture down from the mantle if you would and gaze upon the beauty of it.  What do you see?  Do you see people in the foreground and in the back?  Can you place yourself among them?  Read the passage again if need be.

            What kind of expressions are on their faces?  How do they look upon one another?  Are they sharing a meal?  Holding hands in prayer? Maybe they are sitting at the feet of, listening to their beloved teacher.  Can you see your place in it?  Did you bring a salad?  What is the temperature there?  Is it warm?

            This is what I work toward:  A people who have been reconciled with their Father and with each other through Christ our Lord.  I hope your heart beats similarly.