Friday, August 8, 2014
Chapter One Thoughts (Shanti)
I feel I should be completely honest about my initial feelings/thoughts about this book. When Liz suggested it and I read the short description I had this defensive reaction swell up in me. Then while reading the first chapter I had to pray that God would help me to read it from a place of openness and not defensive justification of my current lifestyle.
So let me start with what I really liked in the first chapter. I like David Platt's aggressiveness. He is bold about challenging the reader right from the start. Challenging what we have accepted as appropriate lifestlyes and acceptable goals and aspirations.
On page 13 he writes in reference to the American Dream:
"But do you and I realize what we are doing at this point? We are molding Jesus into our image. He is beginning to look a lot like us because, after all, that is whom we are most comfortable with. And the danger now is that when we gather in our church building to sing and lift up our hands in worhsip, we may not actually be worshiping the Jesus of the Bible. Instead we may be worshiping ourselves."
Ouch! When you frame it like that is caused me to meditate on the idea of self-worship.
I also liked his thoughts on the cost of nondiscipleship. "the call to abandon the attachments of this world." And "the price of our nondiscipleship is high for those without Christ. It is high also for the poor of this world." Also the "Call to Treasure" was thought provoking. I think for many Americans, (myself included) we view things, stuff as a huge part of our goals and aspirations in life. We want that dream home, car, job etc, but if asked the question "What would your ideal life look like?" why don't any of us say "to see as many people's lives changed through the power of Christ and to be a light to a dark world?" (Again I'm speaking to myself here).
Speaking about the story of the rich young ruler, "Instead he was offering him the satisfaction of eternal treasure. Jesus was saying, "it will be better, not just for the poor, but for you too, when you abandon the stuff you are holding on to."
Ok so several things I like. The one thing I didn't like, and this may evolve as I read the book or it may just be conviction, but I felt like the opening tone was a little ungrateful. Let me explain. Here is a pastor of a large "megachurch" who is making a livelihood from preaching the Word in the US and yet it's as if he is looking down his nose at it and glorifying overseas missions and suffering as the gold standard. Now don't get me wrong more mission work needs to happen overseas to reach those who have never heard the name of Jesus. I guess I was just rubbed the wrong way.
So that's what I thought about Chapter 1. Looking forward to the rest of the book!!
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The passage about turning Jesus into someone we are comfortable with was also the most convicting part of the chapter for me. How often I think of myself while in church -- and everywhere! Such a great challenge to ask us to see Christ as He really is, rather than in a light that makes us comfortable.
ReplyDeleteWhen I read this: "to see as many people's lives changed through the power of Christ and to be a light to a dark world?" my heart seriously skipped a beat. Yes. Yes, that is what I want my immediate reaction to be. I am not there, but by the grace of God, He will bring me there.
In regards to your criticism of Platt's tone, that same point has been brought out in multiple critiques of this book. I didn't hear that in this chapter, but that is probably because I've listened to hundreds of hours of his preaching and know his heart. He feels called to be in a large church, making disciples of all nations. He leverages enormous resources towards the Gospel in his city and abroad -- many families from his church have become home and foreign missionaries. He often travels to train pastors in closed countries. He and his wife have adopted two children from countries where they would likely never hear the Gospel, and integrated them beautifully with their two biologic children. He started a project called "Secret Church" that sends 6-hours of teaching (and materials) to underground churches twice each year. And most importantly he lives extremely modestly and the profits from his book go to spreading the Gospel. However, your concern is real -- the message fighting with the medium. I think this article does a good job describing the conflict: http://www.al.com/living/index.ssf/2013/03/christianity_today_highlights.html.
Love you, and your honesty!
Honesty is for sure the permeating tone throughout this book, which I love. I agree, Shanti, that my initial reaction was fierce defensiveness. I feel like it's so "pop culture" now to chastise Americans for the way they live in excess, waste, and general selfishness. And to be Christian on top of that compounds the issue because it means we're living as hypocrites. True as it is, I think it's beaten us down to view ourselves as less than worthy; instead of the worthy, chosen vessels God made us to be. I love the call to action he is setting up and am anxious to dig deeper in following chapters.
ReplyDelete1. The idea of giving up everything/"abandoning myself" is terrifying to me (which is indicative, for sure, of the work yet to be done in my heart). But I feel most threatened by the idea of giving up my family. Likely because it's the most consistent aspect of my life--ha. Career and marriage? Not so much a need to hold fast to those ;)
The irony is that, knowing this, God has been working to help me loosen the grip I have on my family; most powerfully by taking my nephew home so suddenly a few months ago. That was war on my heart. As a result, I think I've held the remaining members all the more tightly.
Though I still don't entirely understand God's motives, I know without a doubt that He has used and is still using Ben's life (& death) to draw people to Him. And this is the bottom line of what I want for my life; and what He made me to be.
In addition, I think He's still trying to teach me to surrender EVERY aspect of my life to Him. Not only because they are His by right but because I have neither claim or assurance of them. Ever.
I think this is a difficult goal to work toward because I've spent my life working so hard to "be who I am." Not that I'm a prestigious figure or career holder by any stretch but I AM very good at acting. At pretending to look, feel, and be what I'm not--a product of my culture, for sure. I'm proficient in appearing "good." "Happy." "Having it all together." To abandon myself means giving up the charade. And that's scary because it would reveal the heart of vulnerability I work so hard to protect. And hide.
Consequently, it's the starting point of finally freeing myself (ourselves) to be used most genuinely. This is where real life starts as a Christian.
2. Because I'm visually-minded, I picture an overflowing treasure chest spilling out onto streets of gold (and light, lots of gorgeous light) when I hear the phrase "treasure in heaven". But I also think of freedom. Whenever I think of heaven, I feel such a sense of peace. The façade I mentioned no longer has to be maintained--there is literally no place for it there. I think that is a contributing element of the treasures in heaven. Releasing the hold we have on useless, worthless, non-eternal things allows us to finally accept the much better gifts He has for us.
It's scary to let go of the edge of ourselves and jump into the unknown but we have to trust the One who calls us to that unknown, knowing He wants--and has--the best for us. He stands OFFERING it, not giving it outright. It has to be received. Chosen. And we have to take it with both hands.
I really appreciate Marissa's thoughts (above), especially the parts about surrendering every aspect of our lives to Him and God's treasure representing freedom. This is beautiful imagery.
DeleteI would challenge the statement that we are worthy (or at least request a Scripture that suggests we are worthy). I think "worthy" is a term that is only applied to God in Scripture. Luke 17:7-10 sets a pretty high standard for even unworthy servants. But I think that's the beauty of the Gospel. We aren't worthy. Yet God loves us deeply and gave Himself for us. Incredible.
Interesting word study...
Deletehttps://www.biblegateway.com/quicksearch/?quicksearch=worthy&qs_version=ESV