Set your foot on the path of walking through Christ’s kingdom and watch the adventures that result. I dare you. Try it. No sooner do you set your purpose towards living an incarnational, tangible representation of grace in the kingdom than along come trials ready to knock you off the path. It is certain, and it is healthy. Who knew that God would take me at my word when I said “Whatever you want, Lord…it’s your kingdom!”?
Yesterday I spent a large chunk of my day watching The Nines, an online video conference. Teachers and friends from all over the country had nine minutes of video time to share the message that was in their heart. The day, as a whole, was a little bit like drowning in an ocean of ideas. If you missed it, I’ve heard the videos will be online. When I find that link I’ll share it.
In the meantime, I was hit by an idea shared by Pete Wilson, pastor of Crosspoint in Nashville and one of my favorite bloggers. The real issue facing the church today, said Pete, is not that people aren’t coming to church, but that they aren’t being transformed. We need to teach people HOW to live out this kingdom life. So true. And one component of a transformation, according to Pete, is learning the rhythms of Christ’s life. It is a balanced rhythm of solitary learning and community. It was only a small point of Pete’s talk, but it rang a bell with me. Community impacts our spiritual life in ways we cannot anticipate. To cut ourselves off from community is to cripple our attempt to live a balanced life.
At the same time I have been reading a book called “Consequential Strangers: The power of people who don’t seem to matter…but really do.” by Melinda Blau and Karen L. Fingerman. The gist of the book is that the web of acquaintances and near-strangers in our lives (dry cleaner’s, barista’s, person you see at the gym) offer a security and richness to your life. The more of these consequential strangers you have in your life, the more likely you are to encounter a new idea, an idea that can transform your life.
Which brings me right back to transformation. Seeing the consequential strangers as resources and gifts placed in my life has changed how I view casual encounters. Although I always knew it, I’m much more likely now to look for God’s purpose in even the small epidsodes of my day. Today alone a short conversation with a barista I barely know has caused me to rethink an entire ministry strategy, and I can see that a loosely connected web of near strangers is going to impact someone’s life deeply for the kingdom.
On a personal level, I can feel a convergence of information from The Nines, information from Consequential Strangers, ministry situations and personal spiritual rhythms. Walking through this life I’ve learned not to ignore those perfect storms of learning: God always has a purpose in them. I honestly don’t know if this terrifies me or brings me joy — or both — but I feel it coming. Time to hold on for the ride.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Marla, so glad to see you “got” the message….BIG TIME. Thanks for spreading the word. It’s an important message and really does change the way we see our social landscape. In fact, I’ve changed the subtitle in the paperback: Turning Everyday Encounters Into Life-Changing Moments. Fitting, don’t you think?
Melinda, what a great subtitle!
And thank you for all your work on the book. It is truly paradigm shifting. I’m working my way through it slowly…and slow only because every page i turn to has another concept that needs to be thought out. For instance, right now I’m reading about the value of Place. Place happens to be one of my hot buttons…it is a concept I write about and think about a lot. So you will be seeing that chapter show up on my blog in the next two weeks.
I loved your illustration of the Baltimore Colts guy (John?) who suffers from Alzheimers. The fact that his wife chose to put him in community with others who know him, and that the community as a whole (as in the bar they frequent) is just amazing. And touching. My mom has Alzheimer’s, too, and some of that section hit close to home!
Marla, so many people have told me the same thing: that they have to read the book slowly–some say with a yellow marker! I get a little worried but then they tell me it’s easy reading. ANd go, “Whew!” Hopefully, you feel that way too.
The book is not flying out of the stores, which surprises me, because as I was writing it, it felt like a paradigm shifting idea. I guess it has to build slowly. I’m counting on people like you to continue the dialogue.
I’m new to blogging and am trying to understand what it takes–and what it means–to have a community in cyberspace, but that’s what I hope will happen with CS as people talk about it. I often liken blogging to sending an email to the universe. It’s good to know that at least a few people are reading it (the book and/or my blog).
Thanks for being one of them.