Kindness or Kingdom - can we hope for both?
"To the one to whom much has been given, much is required."
'Mars Hill doesn't look like the kingdom at all really. It looks like a lot of hip people who like Buber."
"God's kingdom is like a treasure hidden in a field for years and then accidently found by a trespasser. The finder is ecstatic--what a find!-and proceeds to sell everything he owns to raise money and buy that field. Or, God's kingdom is like a jewel merchant on the hunt for excellent pearls. Finding one that is flawless, he immediately sells everything and buys it."
How do we weave being kind to ourselves with sacrifice?
How do we imagine that we are relational if we do not sacrifice for our relationships?
How do we postulate about mission when we can only be friends with people who speak Mars Hill-ese?
I fear that if Mars Hill, as a community, does not learn to break free of narcissism in order to reach out for the tough, TOUGH call to mision dei (the mission of God), then the re-invented seminary and re-imagined church will just be a re-gurgitation of phariseeism.
Friends, take a moment of encounter with God and ask what you are giving up for the Kingdom of God? Ask God what you must give up for God's kingdom.
Are we willing to "sell everything?"
If not, there is no condemnation; there is no judgement.
Sadly, though, we are missing the Kingdom - which is worth so much more than any kindness we afford ourselves.
2 comments:
Aw man...great post.
I've kinda got cynical on the word "kingdom" because it has quickly become a euphamism for "church". Or better yet, the same ole same ole.
But then that treasure in the field parable...
It teaches me to detach from the old before I attach to the new...
again, good stuff.
great words becky. I've often worried about how we, as the emerging church, can engage everyone, and not just go and form another homogenous group of christian peoples that isn't really that different than those that have gone before us...except we have cool candles.
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