As many of you know, our church recently welcomed a new head pastor. Those of you who are methodists know this practice all too well of rotating the pastors. Peachtree City UMC had Chuck for 11 years, up until this past May. Gregory and I are excited about Herzen Andone, our new pastor and what this season will bring for our church. A few weeks before Christmas I received a letter from Herzen asking me (along with others) to consider joining him on an endeavor to develop a new vision for our church, and what God's will is for the people of PTCUMC in this season of life. I was excited, humbled and nervous about the task that God had set before me. As part of this group, Herzen asked us each to read a book entitled, Death By Suburb, by David L. Goetz. I was excited to read this book, but discovered quickly that I would be challenged by the author's words more than ever in my adult life.
In this book, Goetz seeks the "thicker life", a spiritual life that goes deeper than the superficialness of life in the "suburbs." He writes, "The suburbs tend to produce inverse spiritual cripples. Suburbia is a flat world, in which the edges are clearly defined and the mysterious ocean is rarely explored. Every decision gets planned out, like the practice of registering at retail stores for one's wedding gifts. Only tragedy truly surprises. Too much of the good life ends up being toxic, deforming us spiritually." His response to this suburbia is not to move away from the hype and busyness, but to seek a deeper perspective, one that is Christ-like amidst this sin-stricken world. I like to put it as living in this world,but not of it. Goetz writes, "It's a higher existence, a plane where I am not the sum total of my house size, SUV, vacations, kids' report cards- and that which I still need to acquire." The challenge then, is to experience the presence of Christ amidst life in the suburb.
In his book, Goetz writes of eight spiritual practices or insights. These are simply "practices and perspectives that hold out the greatest possibility for transforming the bloated reality" we experience. Each chapter focuses on an "Environmental Toxin" and the spiritual practice we can use to combat it:
Environmental Toxin: "I am in control of my life"
Spiritual Practice: The prayer of silence
favorite quote: "As I grow tired of controlling my life, I wonder what it might mean to live with inner peace, the kind that comes only from God."
Environmental Toxin: "I am what I do and what I own."
Spiritual Practice: the journey through the self
favorite quote: "An immortality symbol is not really about the thing, It's about the glory that the thing bestows on me."
Environmental Toxin: "I want my neighbor's life"
Spiritual Practice: Friendship with those who have no immortality symbols
favorite quote: "The competitive environment of the suburbs tends to disable, with time, even the most genuine promise to live with the humility, service, and contentment God wants from us. And often without the victim noticing the change."
Environment Toxin: "My life should be easier than it is."
Spiritual Practice: Accepting my cross with grace and patience.
Favorite quote: God essentially said, "My grace is sufficient for you."
Environmental Toxin: "I need to make a difference with my life."
Spiritual Practice: Pursuing action, not results
Favorite Quote: "The fifth key spiritual practice is to move from the pursuit of significance in your life to simple obedience to the things of God."
Environmental Toxin: "My church is the problem"
Spiritual Practice: Staying put in your church.
Favorite Quote: "The real journey to God involves, at least in part, the relationships of the worshipping community."
Environmental Toxin: "What will this relationship do for me?"
Spiritual Practice: Building deep and meaningful friendships
Favorite Quote: "I live in spiritual poverty if my "starter castle" envy is so great that my Friends possess only the immortality symbols that I feel good about."
Environmental Toxin: "I need to get more done in less time."
Spiritual Practice: Falling in love with a day
Favorite Quote: "Million are the reasons why the suburbs seem to produce a class of folks who feel trapped. Perhaps it's the unlimited opportunities or the unchecked narcissism or the stubborn refusal to be left behind."
This weekend I attended a retreat with our pastor Herzen and the others who were called to discuss a vision. As we spent the past 24 hours in thought and discussion about this book, I had so many emotions going through my head. What a daunting task... to break free from these, and so many more, spiritual toxins that cause our souls to wither as we busy ourselves in this life. This book is a hard read... It challenges every aspect of your living, your thoughts, and your paradigm you have established for yourself. It makes you take a deep breath and a HUGE look inward to what it is that drives you, what it is that controls you, and what you put your "stock" in. It is my hope and my prayer that God will begin to chisel away at those things in my life, that He will replace those immortality symbols with Godly treasures that will glorify Him.
I have learned in the past few months that the road to a "thicker life" is paved with a true relationship with Him, allowing the Holy Spirit to fall afresh on me in all areas of my life.
"Now devote your heart and soul to seeking the Lord your God." 1 Chronicles 22:19
"As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirst for God, for the living God." Psalm 42: 1,2
"Come near to God and He will come near to you." James 4:8
It consists of a daily walk with Him, immersing myself in His Word. Scripture is necessary in order to equip ourselves with the sword of the spirit. It is our only offensive weapon!
"All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16
"How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you." Psalm 119: 9,11
It involves a conversation with Him, one that allows for response to Him after hearing and receiving His Word. He longs for our companionship.
"Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know." Jeremiah 33:3
"You do not have, because you don not ask God." James 4:2
"Pray continually." 1 Thessalonians 5:17
And it consists of living a spirit filled life... It is only by the Holy Spirit that I can aspire to live like Jesus. I take up my cross daily, striving to serve my God, thankful for His grace and His mercy, because it is sufficient.
"For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace." Romans 8:5-6
"I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live,but Christ lives in me..." Galatians 2:20
God wants a relationship with us. If we seek Him, He will meet us, and in that meeting, I aspire to develop a thicker life. Don't you?
Monday, March 29, 2010
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