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Radically unaffiliated
Labels.
We all have them…we all use them.
Why?
Because it’s easy to simply lather certain idealogical expectations on someone and forever be done with it. From that moment on, we approach conversation with them based on their label and not who they actually are. We may not even know everything they believe, but slap a broad brush label on them based on just a few remarks.
This becomes glaringly and conflictingly apparent during the political season, but they actually begin much earlier in life and progress as we get older…
Butt-head…meanie…bully…nerd…geek…jock…hater…socialist…flip-flopper…terrorist, elite…bourgeoisie…anti-semite…racist…homophobe…extremist…the list could stretch on for quite a while.
We generally use labels to help us categorize people, frequently so we can use it against them.
For about 15 years, I’ve wrestled quite a bit with how I can live the identity of Jesus and also be an active participant in governmental and civic life. For some, that’s actually a very simple answer, but for me, it never has been and I suspect never will be.
So…I’ve coined a phrase that I believe allows me to give my allegiance to the Kingdom of God above any other kingdom, but still be involved, aware and committed to the culture where I live.
I am radically unaffiliated.
What does that mean?
Well, at first glance it sounds wishy-washy, I admit. But, for me it’s anything but. You see, my greatest desire is for my life to have a lasting impact across as many generational, political, religious and cultural lines as possible.
So, in order to do that, I must approach each interaction carefully, remembering that while the other voice in the conversation may subscribe to even a drastically different perspective than I do, they’re still, above everything else, a person…created by, and in the image of the same God I was.
Their worth to our Savior is the same whether they’re the most ardent capitalist, a pinko commie, or the mastermind of a plot to crash planes into buildings to kill thousands. My pursuit cannot be about changing their political persuasions.
Mostly because politics is about labels…divides…differences. Some have a distinct calling to that, but I do not.
Historically, the church flourished even under the most totalitarian government rule…where it began to falter was when Christians decided it was time to take over.
In fact, I’d say that when your faith begins to align too closely with any political perspective or societal philosophy it’s time to take a step back.
Christ is transcendent, and our legacy should reflect that heart.
Early in Joshua’s days of leading the people of God in the Old Testament, he has an interesting encounter with an angel…when the angel approaches, Joshua immediately asks, “Are you friend or foe?”, to which the angel replies: “Neither…I’m actually in charge of the Lord’s army.”
Oh, snap! But why wouldn’t the angel be affiliated with God’s own handpicked people? Because there was something much more incredible happening than what Joshua could see and understand.
When Joshua asks for instructions, the angel simply says, “Take off your sandals…this is holy ground.”
In everything, there is always something much more incredible happening than what we can see and understand. Something holy…something eternal…and we’ve been invited into that reality by our Creator. We must not waste it.
What if we lived each day as if God was entrusting us with His story, instead of our own agendas?
What if we walked out our journey as though we were on holy ground instead of always on the battle ground?
Does your faith look different based on what culture you’re in? (I’ve seen people act one way with the poor in Africa, and a totally different way with the poor on the streets of their city.)
When you look around is it easier to see people or labels?
I’ve said before that I believe our primary call isn’t to keep people out of hell (or picket their event…or boycott their product), it’s to carry the broken to Jesus.
So…let’s grab our stretchers and head into the fray.
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Cover art by Scott Erickson
Don’t interrupt me
It was all planned out.
My morning. My day. Every hour had been properly labeled. I even left the house a little early to give myself some cushion.
I walked into the coffee shop where I love to write…
…and was promptly interrupted. Usually I can order my coffee with an extra shot of espresso, pop open my MacBook Pro and stuff my headphones in my hears so fast that no one dares approach.
But not today.
There he was, blocking the start of my day, an old friend with much to share. (Which he did…at length). It felt like the scene fro Monty Python and the Holy Grail when Sir Lencelot tries to cross the Bridge of Death, but must first answer three questions.
My plan was ruined.
How dare he. Didn’t he know I only had an hour to hustle on a project before my first meeting started? Didn’t he know my son had a doctor’s appointment? Didn’t he know my schedule for the day didn’t have any wiggle room?
No. Of course he didn’t.
For the first half of the conversation, I was looking for a way out. (Ever been there?) I was done before he even began.
Then…he shared a story. (Which wasn’t short, and had several subplots).
The story was about how a few days ago, his life had also been interrupted. It was about how he didn’t want to deal with it. He figured if he just ignored it, the situation might go away. It didn’t. It stayed until he finally understood and embraced his role in it.
For this old friend, he thought the people in the situation would just end up using him…instead…he was used by God because he didn’t abandon the interruption.
And there it was.
The reality is, while we slave over our calendars and intricate schemes, many times God is waiting for us in the interruptions…in the margins.
A couple thoughts:
- Don’t use interruptions as an excuse to be lazy
- Don’t leave an interruption until you understand your role in it.
We’re highly trained to brush people off…to the point where even our own children sometimes have to call for us 3 or 4 times before we answer. Deep down I convince myself it’s because I’m focused, but really it’s because I’m selfish.
Remember this…
People are always more important than plans.
People are always more important than hustle.
People are always more important than projects.
People are always more important than politics.
People are always more important than theology.
People are always more important than my ego.
Embrace interruptions. Rarely are they a waste of time…in fact, you never know when an interruption might just change everything.
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And…to my dear friend this morning…thank you for interrupting me.
Why did Jesus hang out with a Terrorist?
A while back, President Obama was accused of being friends with a terrorist, but did you know that Jesus asked one to be a disciple?
You may not know much about the Zealots, but they were a group of people who were part of an insurgency to overthrow the Roman occupation of Judea during and after the days of Jesus.
(They actually succeeded for a short time around 66AD).
They hated the Romans and traitors, and if you wanted to live it was best you weren’t associated with either group.
They were assassins. They were some of the earliest known terrorists.
And Jesus chose a terrorist as a disciple?
As part of the select group that was supposed to change the world?
How could he?
Why would he?
He also chose a traitor: Matthew the Tax Collector (my namesake…thanks mom and dad!)
If you’re keeping score at home, this means that among Christ’s original posse of 12, we have a terrorist and a traitor (vehement political enemies), a betrayer and several school flunkies.
Fantastic.
So what’s my point?
My point is this: if Jesus hadn’t done things the way He did them, you wouldn’t be reading this right now. The whole reason we have a Savior to entrust our very lives to is because Jesus did things differently.
The people were looking for a King to replace Herod…but Jesus is born in a manger and announces His birth to some shepherds (who probably gave up drinking for good after that night). And if you think the serenading angels simply appeared to the wrong people, keep in mind a group of astrologers figured out who Jesus was way before the official people of God.
The people wanted a political leader, Jesus laid down His life instead.
Mere moments before He was raised up on the cross, Jesus reveals to Pilate, “My Kingdom is not of this world.”
No one saw it coming. Everyone’s expectations and predictions were completely off.
Jesus came to set up a Kingdom where Simon’s ability to inflict terror was no longer needed, but his passion for a life-altering message was.
A Kingdom where guys who failed school could preach the story of redemption that still carries on from generation to generation.
A Kingdom where even a traitor and a betrayer were invited into community.
A Kingdom where haters, liars, cheaters, murderers, doubters, racists, whores, Capitalists, Socialists, thieves, gossips, perverts, poor, starving, alcoholics, users, cutters, and every type of people are told: “Come as you are…”
He came for the broken.
He came for me.
He came for you.
And when you and I become part of His Kingdom, the call on our lives is this:
When’s the last time you spent any significant amount of time with any of the kinds of people listed above? Truth is, you probably interact with them every day, but the trick is learning how to see them…and see them as Jesus does.
We need to stop filtering our faith by the kingdoms of this world. Why do we get so caught up in the temporal? While financial markets crash, nations are plunged into rioting, famine wiping out tens of thousands of precious lives, and governments are left floundering for answers, we are part of a Kingdom that will never crumble.
This is our hope. This is our message.
I’m convinced that if we all lived out this reality, things would begin to look drastically different.
Following Jesus is about more than having better vision. It’s about having new eyes.
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By the way – an amazing song that goes along with what I’ve talked about today is “Hookers and Robbers” by my dear friends the Charlie Hall band…
Click the image below for a link to download the song…do it!
