In 1521,
Martin Luther was called before the Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V to recant the
beliefs he had expressed and written in several books that were displayed on
the table in front of him. Instead of doing what was expected of him,
once again Luther insisted on the authority of the bible over the
declarations of popes and councils, clearly implying that human leaders are
fallible. Not a popular statement! Tradition tells us he concluded
his speech by saying, "Here I stand; I can do no other. God help me."
When
interviewed by Christian History Institute for Issue 34, Luther’s Early
Years, Rev. Dr. Scott H Hendrix claimed, “Luther's speech was not a
defiant, solitary protest, but a calm, reasoned account.” *
That
demeanor is particularly challenging, isn’t it? When talking to people who do
not share my point of view, I’m pretty sure my impatience or frustration leaks
through. Or worse, bursts through! (It has happened!) Being calm
and reasonable is hard. I think most of us would rather avoid unnecessary
disagreements if possible.
But each
October as Reformation Sunday approaches, I’m reminded that standing for
something is necessary. I can still hear my father saying, “If you don’t
stand for something, you’ll fall for anything.”
And then
there’s 1 Peter 3: 15, summarizing both the need to take a stand and the best
way to do it. “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be
prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the
hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.”
How about
you? How would you put it into words? I've given that some thought once
again, and here is where I stand on the role of the church today. To the
spiritual-not-religious who ask me why I stay with the church:
Yes, I’m
religious. Each time I come to worship, I hope to be religious all the
way, straight through to spiritual. That is, I use the words, the
prayers, the songs as a threshold, a way to enter the spiritual. And it’s
a particular “spiritual.” The spiritual we enter here is a relationship with
the almighty God who remarkably seeks us out, knows us by name, fills us up,
confronts us, calls us out and offers us a panoramic view of life that’s wide,
healthy, meaningful and integrated.
I wonder
how those of you who are spiritual-not-religious discover that you are valued
and loved just for being you. I wonder how life becomes purposeful for
you other than managing to stay on top of things. Do you see spiritual as
an escape when life gets too demanding? Does your spirituality offer hope
and even an eagerness for what lies ahead? What relieves your
fears?
I concede
that people in churches harm each other, put others off, fail often and a
lot. Yet, in every church, every single one, there are some irrepressible
souls who “get it.” And when you’ve met them, you know you’re in the
presence of something other-worldly. They are more than just good
people. Where are the persons whose lives have become exemplary by being
spiritual-not-religious?
Along
with all people who are spiritual, it saddens me to see lives that are driven.
Driving is exhilarating until something breaks down or ages. While
all spiritual people admit this, the church takes an additional rather
unpopular stance. Rest means more than retreat, more than distancing yourself
from pressures. An honest reason for avoiding church, I suppose, might be
that we begin with brokenness and that’s something most of us would rather not
admit or deal with until we have to. Still…when we do, the grace of our
Lord Jesus is so amazing!
So, God help me, I stand in a longing place because I urgently
want something for others. I think I understand where Paul is coming from
when he writes to the church, “I pray that you, being rooted and established
in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how
wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love
that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the
fullness of God.” (Ephesians 3: 18-19)
Come to church. Sit with me. Let's pray. Let’s spread out
our thoughts to reconsider them in the light of the sanctuary. Read with me.
Consider this lineage of people in the bible who encountered God in the midst
of their lives, who walked with Jesus, who have sought the counsel of his
Spirit. Feel the water. Remember the
taste. Leave some things behind. Go in
peace.
Pastor Shirley
*http://www.christianitytoday.com/ch/news/2002/apr12.html
