Day 13, yes I know it’s supposed to be 15, I’m playing catch-up after the Influence Conference.
What do we do when God shows up? I was 16 and had been raised in a Christian family. We were flawed but the gospel was something I’d heard all of my life. And yet, if asked to really tell what the gospel amounted to in the church, I wouldn’t have been able to pinpoint anything other than avoiding hell and being a good person. And that plan failed in my teens when I knew I wasn’t a good person. I never thought of myself as a good girl although I played the part. Inside, I felt dark and damaged.
And unfortunately that is true of so many in the church. We line up to buy into the eternal life package which includes avoiding the fiery flames in favor of golden gates but it’s not really about Jesus. It is not as Bonhoeffer states, an invitation to, “come and die.”
We give our lives to being a good person, complete with a moral checklist. Thou shalt not do the biggies. No killing, stealing, or adultery but the heart stuff goes unchecked.
We live out an external Christianity instead of an internal transformation. And if you belong to Club Jesus, then you congregate with like-minded external Christians and participate in all of those subtle sins that come from a heart that has been untouched.
Club Jesus condones rampant materialism because this moralistic gospel preaches that a good God wants us to be happy, not Holy.
Club Jesus promotes classic family values but doesn’t emphasize discipling their children to see Jesus. A weekly check in with youth group will do the trick, and then it’s straight off to college so they have security and a chance at the happy a college educated American is entitled to have.
Club Jesus gobbles up the Oprah prescription for a happy life, making sure you get your needs met, especially in your marriage. After all, God wants us to be happy.
Club Jesus loves to put links in the prayer chain gossip. “Oh, have you heard? We need to pray for…., ” and then the story spills out and spreads as eyebrows raise and tongues drip heavy with concern.
Club Jesus believes in a lot of activity and programs. It believes in practicality and productivity. It discourages reliance on the Holy Spirit and instead relies on the monotony of tradition. Because if anyone has had an encounter with the Holy Spirit, that messes you up without a doubt. And Club Jesus likes tidy.
Club Jesus accepts members based on whether they fit in to Club Jesus. This would automatically exclude anyone whose sin is showing. You can pretty much exclude any of the people Jesus actually chose to spend time with because those people are downright messy.
Club Jesus would never admit to these stereotypes because they’ve got the lingo down. They know they are supposed to love their neighbor, but their neighbor is the person in the same zip code and financial bracket, the one who goes to the same school and doesn’t rub them the wrong way.
Club Jesus doesn’t mess you up the way knowing Jesus does. It doesn’t wreck the steps you’ve taken and ask you to walk a different pace and rhythm, totally in step with Him.
Club Jesus doesn’t make disciples because they are not discipled. The seeker sensitive churches of the early 90′s have faded because no one can live on milk their whole lives without cutting teeth for real sustenance.
And although Club Jesus is alive and well, many of my generation are over it.
We are rapidly fading from the Sunday morning church-building -going sort.
My generation is becoming de-churched, dropping out of the mainstream Club Jesus due to hurts, boredom, or the search for something transformative. The ones who stay are often the frustratingly churched, those who still go but are disillusioned and stilted.
The de-churched want to make a difference in this DIY generation. They want to change the world and see it as a responsibility which can lead to the next display of a distorted gospel in the church, Activist Jesus.
DISCLOSURE: COMPENSATED AFFILIATE LINK USED, But if you haven't
read The Cost of Discipleship, you are missing out on the awesome.
“What do we do when God shows up?” You know Alia, I find I am asking myself this question- A LOT. I have bent lower and lower these past few months and God has definitely shown up… but I am also feeling very lost because there is no precedence in my life with which to deal with how completely wrecked I am feeling. I know that God is making my path narrower and Jesus is demanding my allegiance… so with all of this truth how is it that I still feel so lost… Thank you for this post, mostly because you put words to what my heart was feeling and confirmed that I am not completely off my rocker with these thoughts… you’re prayers are much appreciated friend.
Tonya, I know what you mean. I like to have control and when I am pouring myself out to be filled up by him, I find that the process does leave me feeling wrecked. But this is a great thing and a wonderful place to be because when we are, we’re malleable and He can shape us into what He desires. You’re not alone. Praying with you friend.
Wow, Alia! Your ability to share your own story, while touching on broader themes of the broken (and redeemed church) is amazing. Thank you, friend. Such a light you have.
Thanks Ashley, I am so blessed by you and your constant encouragement. I feel the same way about your writing. I loved your latest post, The Table. Gorgeous.
There is positively NO-thing external about you, Alia Joy! An open vessel, full of God’s Glory & Grace. Celebrating your Truth of BEing! Love being here with you.
Paula, you’re sweet. I wish that was true. I do desire to be as authentic as possible and to speak from the places where I’ve faded and He’s filled but it’s a constant heart check to make sure I’m in the right place. How prone we are to wander.
Alia, I’m catching up on your posts after being without internet for a week while we moved. And I’m so glad you’ve kept writing. Your words are so relate-able. I’m in the drop-out generation. Missing it but mildly repulsed by the idea of going back to Club Jesus. Can’t wait to read the rest.
Stay tuned Janice. I’ve been there and I’m working through it all too but I’ve honestly been coming to a place where I feel God is showing me for the first time, despite all the shortcomings, how important church is. I NEVER would’ve said that in that way a year ago and meant it.
Hope you’re settling in nicely. I hate moving but I do love the newness of setting up a house and everything gets put away and it’s all nice and new. Until it’s not. The longest we’ve lived in a house since we’ve been married, (14 years) is 3. We move a lot!. Here’s to settling down for a bit.
i read this in its entirety, skeptical until the last word. it’s a great depiction of what is actually happening. i am moved by the practice of faith that brought you to these truths, and that you’re able to speak of them so openly and naturally.
Thanks. I think we get the gospel wrong in so many ways and we wander from it so easily so it’s important to always come back to those truths and to the faith that saves and draws us in. I am always wandering and being drawn in by Jesus. Thanks for reading along in my journey and for sharing in some of what God is teaching me as I try to follow.