Given Jesus was not a conquering king, nor did he restore David's throne, was executed as a criminal, and his life ended in some wild tale of a bodily resurrection, it is no wonder that many people of his day, and still today, consider the good news about Jesus Christ as just plain foolishness. The One the people had been waiting for would not restore their wealth, power, and influence; Jesus went out of his way to be poor and humble and encouraged all he touched and spoke with to do likewise, hardly attributes that we're convinced God would choose for us. Foolish, weak, low and despised, yeah, that's the kind of life those who love me hope I'll choose.
The truth is the Way of Christ creates an openness and exposure to much that is not of this world; yet one becomes susceptible to the presence of God and capable of permitting God to affect the future. That sort of susceptibility - living a holy vulnerability - will shape, focus, and inform a life in Christ, in the Church, and in each one of us.
The Church is once again focused on its "mission," the best way to go about it, what it could look like, and what direction it will take us. Put more simply: the Church wants to help heal God's world. Where we will get the sort of wealth, and power, and influence it will take to do so? "Follow me," he said. If we're foolish enough to do that - drop and risk it all to go his Way - nothing of this world will be lost, and everything of God's world will be gained.
For Your Reflection: What will you allow God to say about your future? Will you help God heal the world? Are you honestly vulnerable to living a life in Christ?
For Your Prayer: Help me seek the God that made the Pleiades and Orion, that turns deep darkness into the morning, and darkens the day into night; that calls for the waters of the sea and pours them out upon the face of the earth: The Lord is his name. Amos 5:8
The Rev. Harrison Heidel serves as Rector at St. Barnabas in Glenwood Springs
