The Tangible Kingdom and Quaker Summer
Categories: Living our faith, MissionIt’s the dishtowels that have pushed me over the edge.
You see, I just finished reading Quaker Summer by Lisa Samson. Reading is such a dangerous activity! This fiction book is an excellent companion to Lisa and Will Samson’s book “Justice in the ‘Burbs.” It is a fictional playing-out of the principles found in Justice. If I were to summarize the principles off the top of my head they would boil down to these:
- As Christians we need to carefully evaluate our lifestyle. We need to do this frequently and repeatedly. The world is full of “big” things to do:should we let the “little”things sidetrack us? Look at your possessions, your activities, your living arrangements. Are they in line with what God has for you?
- Monitor your activities through the lens of God’s kingdom. Activities that used to have a purpose may now be nothing more than busy work, keeping us from the kingdom work.
- Look at where you are doing your work. Are you only interacting with other Christians? Do the issues of justice and social concerns ever hit your radar screen? If not, you may need to ask God where he is at work, and join him there.
- Keep your worship fresh. Make sure you are connecting to God in a variety of ways, including taking time to hear his voice and respond. Perhaps you might want to worship in a different church every so often to obtain a fresh perspective (if only thankfulness for your own church!).
I am sure that others reading these two books would take away different points, but these were the ones God was pointing out to me. Now combine these thoughts with The Tangible Kingdom, which I am currently reading. The Tangible Kingdom is teaching me to let go of some of the belongings, activities and people of the past in order to effectively serve God in the present.
And so we come to the dishtowels.
I have so many!!! I have them in all colors, textures and sizes. Some are neatly stored in my drawer, some are constantly on the counter. Some are in the wash. All of them need to be maintained: wash, dry, fold, use, repeat. I could divest myself of half my dishtowels and still have too many.
Lately my life feels like the dishtowel drawer.
June 27th, 2008 at 3:13 pm
Hey Marla–
Thanks for this post. I’ve been feeling a little disoriented lately. I’ve intentionally constructed a life of simplicity and then wonder if I’m doing anything meaningful with my life! Everyone seems to be doing “BIG” things (for God..you know). You’ve inspired me with those points. Maybe sometimes in life its little things with “big” intention… still working it through I guess.
June 27th, 2008 at 5:01 pm
Kim, I was just pondering your life last night, when I posted on your blog. I was thinking about the relationships you have built within your family (eternal), and the experiences you have accrued. This season of your life is purchasing for all of you skills, outlooks and a global awareness that God needs you and your kids to have for what He wants to do in the future. He is also using you along the way to model his way. I would think that what you are doing is a collection of “little things” that add up to an eternal “big thing.”
And I do envy the simplicity. Getting to simple is so…complicated. Ironic, isn’t it?
June 28th, 2008 at 4:02 am
Well put. Here’s the thing: when I lived on land I was involved in all sorts of “ministries” but would long for simplicity. Now here I am living a “simple” (I could contest that at times) life and long for busyness to provide some meaning. So its really, for me, about learning to accept where I’m at–being content without settling somehow. Finding glory–allowing myself to see the glory–in the little and large daily things. Thanks for your encouragment. Came just when I needed a boost. Interesting…how people connect these days on the internet. I’ll keep checking back here. All the best…