Can you hear me now?
"Today it is very fashionable to talk about the poor. Unfortunately, it is not fashionable to talk with them." - Mother Theresa
I read this quote about a year ago. I've kept thinking about it ever since. Today it sparked this thought: Right now it seems very fashionable to talk about God, and sadly less trendy to simply talk to God.
I'm getting a little weary of talking about theology, denomination, tradition and church history. I'm tired of hearing about church relevancy and community. I don't want to hear why we should serve. I don't want to read it all one more time... These are important, but they leave me empty. What's the end?
At my own end, I want to know God better. And talking about God is not a substitute for letting him live alongside me. Understanding theology isn't the same as sitting in a quiet place long enough to listen. Knowing how and why to serve will never be serving. Learning about prayer will never be as meaningful as praying.
Finding the right denomination, church and tradition won't be what makes me more like Christ. Haven't we always said being a Christian is about a relationship. If so, how Christian have we been today?
Are we all making this more complicated than it actually is?
If I spent a moment with God, would he hesitate to help me find some truth?
posted by Maria Elyse at 5:16 PM
3 Comments:
These are good thoughts Maria! Its so true, especially in the University culture, we get so caught up with knowledge and forget about actually living it out. How are you going to change your methods?
1:29 PM
Oh Maria, Maria (enter Carlos Santana riff).
Thank you for your post. Coming from a girl who is soon on her way to Africa to live with orphan children I have great respect for your complaints. Thank you for your vision. Don't ever be afraid to call your friends (me) out of complacency, anytime you are up to some good "charitable" acts and need more hands, let me know!
9:32 PM
Sara--Such a valid question. I think I'll end up writing a more lengthy post on it later. Basically, I really want to set aside this summer to examine myself. I want to stop focusing on what I'd like the church to change, or the world to change...and focus on what needs to change in my own life and relationsips. I figure this will probably take a shift from just going through life on autopilot, to questioning my normal reactions to situations and feelings. I really want to make an effort to spend a good chunk of my time away from work, friends, school, blogs, facebook...and just really meditate on where I am. I don't know...I think so many of our problems come from a lack of self-reflection I've noticed...I think the church needs to teach a course on self awareness. :)
Andrew- Oh I'm a complacent as the rest of the world, I assure you...but I think we're stunted spiritually unless we're acting out our faith...and I get frustrated easily when I'm letting myself slip. I think you know what I mean. :) It goes beyound even serving...it's as broad as just living life I guess. I'm not quite sure yet, I have to try it first.
11:28 PM
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