Tell all the stories
work very hard at our faith; we agonize over it; we struggle with it; we
grimly and determinedly set our jaws to make it through. The empty tomb
is a monument against that. Persons active in religious leadership very
often become patronizing to God, treating him as someone we must take
care of. We think that what we do determines his effectiveness, and fail
to see that that is the position of a pagan toward an idol, not a
creature bowed before the Creator.
When we reflect on our projects as Christians, we are good at telling positive stories: an orphanage built in Thailand; numerous church plants in British Columbia; fundraising to support
a local Bible college. To repeat Peterson above, “we work very hard at
our faith,” and many times, this is a good thing. So we rightly tell
these stories. They bring a necessary inspiration to continue making a
difference in the world. We need to know and be reminded, I believe,
that change is possible.
One
problem. These aren’t the only stories to tell. And in our enthusiastic
cheers for success, I think Peterson offers a sobering reminder:
Christians can make idols of their success. We forget that change isn’t always possible. Or at least not in the way we envision. And we don’t always tell these stories.
Which is why my attention was caught when I recently read this news update from my denomination (Canadian Mennonite Brethren):
How
do we process this type of news? The congregation’s own response was
mixed. Reflecting on their final gathering, the consensus was this:
We
do so with grief in our hearts for what is no longer, but also with
thanksgiving for our history and hope and expectation for the future,”
said several long-time supporters in the congregation. “The formal
institution is ending, but the mission of the church and the
relationships that have been formed and cultivated live on in its
people.
I was encouraged to read the peoples' reaction.
Their disappointment is clear, even if understated. But their 13 years
weren’t a waste either. Failure – if we even venture to call it that
(I’m not sure closing a church has to be considered a failure) – isn’t
wasted.
I’ll admit, I don’t particularly like to hear the
“unsuccessful” stories. Yet I need these stories. We all need these
stories. In them we’re reminded of our own frailty, our own inability to
make everything work out for the best. I like how John Stackhouse puts it:
Most
of us live in a world that is grayer than these black-and-white
options, and some of us earnestly want Biblical guidance for such
living. Indeed, most of us make our way in a world in which success
means asking for ten, hoping for eight, and settling for six. We
experience compromise, disappointment, unexpected impediments, and
unintended consequences (Making the Best of It).
By
being realistic about our experiences in the world, we are reminded
that as followers of Jesus – the Church – we are exactly that: followers.
We’re not firstly creators of human institutions, but imitators of a
creative, yet subversive God; a God who’s highest point of victory
(resurrection) came through a submission to failure (death).
So as Christians, let’s keep telling our stories. Let’s just make sure we tell all of them…
Originally posted at Considerations, part of the CCblogs network.
