Think out Laud

Living under The Rock

My friend John Armstrong wrote an article called "Believers Living in the Desert," in which he says, "The longer I attempt to live in Christ the more I discover that many things that I thought were so clear need to be continually challenged. This is disturbing."

Continual challenge and change! Same here, John. But I don't really think it's disturbing. Thrilling is a better word, with definite elements of adventure and uncertainty. The changes within are unsettling, and yet hopeful signs that I have not stopped growing.

As an example, until recently I thought the War on Terror was something Christians were supposed to support... Because. But according to the principles of the Constitution, Congress alone can declare war, and Congress did not do so. So there is a conflict of principles involved that is shaking up my pat assumptions. I didn't bother to think this through till I began to be familiar with a certain 2008 presidential candidate from Texas.

Moreover, I have been reading William Law's "Serious Call". And it is really challenging the moral laxity and luxury of our age. For example, I recently started swearing---nothing horrible, just coarser language than I was brought up using. Law makes it clear that it is not becoming of a Christian and therefore doesn't glorify God, and therefore isn't a mark of devotion to God. Same goes for overeating, wearing expensive clothes, he touches many things we assume to be more or less acceptable. And James ch.5 (my recent Sunday sermon) likewise lambastes the rich and their riches.

These things are challenging me. Not really to doubt whether I am a Christian (thankfully), but to see clearly that I'm in no way devoted or holy as I want to be. And that this is not because I am ignorant or powerless, but "because I have not intended to be so." William Law is the standard operating procedure for "heart work".

Still there are moments when I wonder. Growing up in a mainline denomination (the same one as John did) I assumed I had a kind of guarantee and didn't bother to "test myself". Now I think I've entered the desert, where there isn't a Big Church or Formula or System telling me I'm OK, where the heat and thirst are relentless and no one comes out to serve me and feed me (spiritually) or offer comfort. Wealth is no shade. Even friends can't be my shade. Only the Rock is a refuge, and the only cool place to be is "under the Rock".

Unfortunately, "living under a rock" is not cool to the world, but a euphemism for a dull life. But the holy and devout life is, in William Law's world, the best and most blessed life. To shun the comforts and luxuries of the age and live simply, devoted and holy---in the desert---is not what many Christians are willing to do.

But the Bible teaches us to "Make level paths for our feet and take only ways that are firm." [Proverbs 4:26] Jogging at night is a little risky on a paved road through a quiet neighborhood. But running out on trails at night is near suicidal. This maxim holds true in business, in relationships, in surfing the Internet, in guiding a family or church or organization, and in personal morality. If I go to the "red light district" or bar-hopping, I'm not on a level path morally. Visiting certain web sites is no different. They are not safe.

Would I rather never know "good and evil"? It is true. Purity of soul is a matter of ignorance, to a large degree. But simply staying on the level path isn't "going nowhere" or "living under a rock". It is going places that are right and which glorify God, and NOT going to places I don't feel morally, spiritually, intellectually, financially, or relationally safe. In some seasons of life, the level path may seem like a desert wilderness. For John the Baptist, that's where he was led. When God leads us to the desert, it is for our good. Just take alone plenty of water. Fancy food and clothes are not needed.

Makes me kinda interested to visit Burning Man some day.

Ooops! Cancel that! Makes me kinda interested to visit the Grand Canyon.

Posted by ckelly at September 18, 2007 08:03 AM