Monastic Dreams.
This article takes an honest look at the pros/cons and ups/downs of the New Monastic movement (probably made most famous by Shane Claiborne).
I think it's an important read because I continue to see Christians who are not wholly satisfied with their current experience of faith (in many facets) -- but I think we often have a naive idealism when it comes to breaking the norm.
Our spiritual growth and satisfaction might not come through the current circumstances, but rushing headlong into new adventures isn't necessarily a sure fix.
In all things, we must take steps of faith -- relying upon the Living God who still speaks to us, still guides us, still moves and grows us.
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This article also speaks to me personally because I just made a shift in my own living conditions -- becoming part of an apartment community (living in the same building as four other friends) and living with a roommate. Already, in the first few weeks, I have learned numerous lessons.
Potential is certainly there, but this -- like any new experience -- is not an appropriate avenue for everyone.
Make wise choices in where you live, with whom, and how you spend your resources and the benefits will greatly survive the challenges.
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Edit: For those living in Lexington and interested in communal-living, check out Communality. I was privileged to spend some time with them about a year-or-so ago and the experience was definitely inspiring and effectual.
2 comments:
Isn't it interesting how we seem to think the calling of the rich young ruler is meant for everyone? Is it our pride that makes us want to be the one who can take on that challenge and overcome it? I have a feeling Jesus' growth step for each of us is uniquely suited to where we are, how we are currently living/thinking, where we need heart-surgery... Honestly, I believe this story shares a rather humorous result of trying too hard spiritually. Bonhoeffer used this filter from Matthew 6: "Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." He flips it and says we can measure what our treasure is by where our heart is. If that treasure turns out to be anything but God, then we need to spend some time really wrestling with God and ourselves about it. How can we get rid of the mentality of requiring impressive spiritual gymnastics of ourselves in order to feel like we're accepted by God?
I'll admit I know very little (if anything) about being a father...so take this with a grain of salt:
It makes me wonder if God, as our perfect Father, looks down on everything His children are doing and sees one of a few things --
1 - We're not really hurting ourselves or others, but we haven't necessarily made the best choice...haven't necessarily accepted God working in our lives (e.g., the kid opens his present on Christmas day but is satisfied to play with the box and not the toy)
2 - We've got ourselves in a bit of trouble, but it still hasn't turned disastrous. God is alright with waiting around, patiently, letting us figure things out (e.g., we've wrapped ourselves up in string and are now frantically trying to be free)
3 - We've made a terrible choice, or are walking down a path that God knows will lead to destruction. As a loving Father, He steps in to save us/heal us (e.g., we got involved with the wrong crowd or the wrong things)
I think these people are sitting in the second situation. God was pleased to see them having so much fun with the new endeavor (and, who knows, something pretty might have been made with the string) -- but, somewhere along the way tangles and knots came about and now they're trying to figure out what's happened.
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