"We are resilient.”

I heard these words over and over from governmental leaders as I watched the events unfold in our nation’s capital. I reached out to several people to ask their opinions. Shock. Dismay. Sadness. “I can’t watch this…but I can’t turn it off either.” It felt like the train wreck conversation I’ve had multiple times in the past few months as people described their personal situations. We are experiencing an onslaught of failure and loss on a global scale. Grief has crept into our lives as a silent and unwelcome visitor. There is plenty of sadness, disappointment and even despair. This was the reality before watching the events unfold in Washington D.C.

Death comes in many forms: job loss, marriage loss, life loss, dream loss. Companies close. Denominations fail and churches are left to restructure. Colleges and universities deteriorate and close. I listened to commentators speak about our loss of faith. Faith, in my opinion, is a bold act of agreement. But, my question is what do we have faith in…? The evidence for the failure of entire belief systems is at hand. How we respond is crucial to the future.

This is definitely a complex issue and one blog post isn’t going to be enough. But, I do want you to be smart. I want you to really think about the situation in which you and I are living. The circumstances present themselves for rational demonstrations of wisdom and I believe this is the time for Christians to be bold and stand up for what we believe. Be sure that what you believe is Christian…and not some other belief disguised as Christianity but when tested is revealed as less than or not even close. Discover Christianity in a bold new way. Explore what it may mean to live with a Christian world view and how that worldview may challenge you to make changes in the way you live and how you influence others. Because what we face now is the evidence of multiple failures and each failure leads us to one conclusion.

But, many will come to you and seek out your answer. Peter’s admonition to always have an answer for the hope you have now comes close to each and every one of us. (1 Peter 3:15) Be prepared is more than a Scouting mantra—it is a way of life. I am also reminded of the story in Matthew’s gospel of the Bridesmaids. (Matthew 25:1-13) Jesus describes the difference between the foolish and the wise. Are you prepared? Will you be considered foolish or wise?

“Follow me.”

These words appear 20 times in the New Testament. We are not speaking of a blind leap into the darkness but a personal response to a personal calling. When Jesus called the first disciples with the words: “Follow me,” he was certainly calling for an act of faith. He did not offer any demonstrable certainties. And so it is with everyone who has been called through the faithfulness of the first apostles and their successors.(1) Presently, there are many who profess to be Christian who also say, “Follow me.” But, how many can we actually follow and to where do they lead? Hmmm….let’s take a look at the evidence and honestly explore what the evidence provides and reveals to us.

In my opinion, we seem to have endured a comfortable cohabitation which has now become untenable. We must first recognize who we are and admit that the ways of the world—secular and liberal--are enticing, enchanting and exhorting. But, it’s really not working out. I know that it feels good to get an ‘atta boy or atta girl’ from someone we admire. After all, we don’t want to offend anyone and everyone receives applause as we accept the trophy for simply showing up or being part of the experience. But, it’s our time. We have a story to tell.

The story the church tells is a competitor in the field where secular historians tell the story of society, a nation, a civilization, or the story of the world. The church’s story is not a different kind of story from the one these histories tell; its difference is with respect to the interpretation of the records which are the raw material common to them all. It is not a special kind of history isolated from the work of secular historians. It is, if you like, a counterhistory, interpreting the same evidence in a different way. (2)

For anyone who thinks himself or herself to be a Christian, let us start with something fundamental: "But, what about you?” He asked. "Who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:15)

Let’s talk more. Let’s discover more. Let’s evaluate the evidence and build something great together.

Proper Confidence: Faith, Doubt and Certainty in Christian Discipleship. Lesslie Newbigin.Eerdmans.1995.Page 95. Ibid. Page 77.

Pastor Jen