echoes of redemption

Many times people are intimidated when it comes to talking with others about their faith. It seems too easy to get something wrong. Mess up. Or lead them away.

In mathematics there is right and wrong. Correct and incorrect. In relationships there is perspective. Interpretation. Growing understanding.

A good spiritual conversation is the beginning of something – not the end.

It opens up opportunities.

Options.

Places to grow.

Like a good sermon, it is the first word, not the last.

Missions is less about the transportation of God from one place to another and more about the identification of a God who is already there… You see God where others don’t. And then you point Him out.

- Rob Bell

It is asking questions that lead people to learn more about themselves and their beliefs through the answers.

It is direction that leads to more possibility than they knew about.

It is pointing out the unlimited potential people have through what God is already doing in this world and in their lives.

Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

- Galatians 6:2

There are a lot of logical reasons not to carry someone’s burden.

Cost.

Time.

Stress.

And a lot of unknowns.

But when I’m honest with myself, this is the area I look the least like Christ. And sometimes it makes me wonder if I’m even a Christian.

It’s easy to talk about serving others. Easy to throw money at a problem. Easy to create a program that people should participate in.

But it’s hard to walk into someone’s life, pick up their burden and carry it for them. Owning their problems as if they are my own. Pouring the same time, energy, passion and prayer into their life as I do when my world starts to fall apart.

There are huge problems in our world, but sometimes the answer isn’t a global solution, it’s just a person deciding to make a difference.

The Church in action is people carrying one another’s burdens – and it’s beautiful. Because when we all find someone to walk along side – someone to own their problems like our own – we discover life like Christ lived it. And it’s deep, rich and more abundant than we ever knew possible.

Changing the world isn’t easy.

Tackling water and water-related illnesses that plague 1/6th of the world is expensive. Helping a single mom pay her electric bill so she can buy groceries is a long-term commitment. Even getting to know someone outside your comfort zone is  a challenge.

But that’s why much of our world looks like hell.

Separation from God.

Emptiness.

Helplessness.

Hopelessness.

But Jesus came to change all that. To reconcile people to God. To bring part of heaven to earth. And he poured himeself out to do it – it cost him everything.

And maybe that’s why so little changes in our world today. We have to be willing to pour ourself out. And when you pour yourself into something you lose a little. It costs time. Profits go down.

It’s risky. It’s subversive to the culture we live in. (And most people think it’s crazy.)

But when we enter in to someone’s life, engage with their problems and carry their burden – that’s when change happens.