Greetings Dear Reader,
If we are honest,
we all have areas where we have put clear vinyl slipcovers on our faith. We have even relegated Jesus to a plastic
existence in some ways. It is not always
intentional or even conscious. We follow
the other sheep into some false shiny practice that is not what represents the
heart of the Father or the leading of the Son.
Each day we choose
how we are going to view our faith. We
also choose how we are going to follow Christ and apply that faith. We decide in each moment who we are going to
be in response to events unfolding around us.
We choose our responses or reactions based on how we have structured our
view of faith and following.
Clear vinyl
slipcovers are a transference of faith.
When we use them, we put our faith in plastic to protect our furniture
and express faith that something will happen to damage that furniture. We put a hedge around the actual upholstery that
prevents us from enjoying the comfort and purpose of that covering. Too often, Dear Reader, we transfer our faith
in Christ to some practice or program that is a step away from faith in Christ.
We take up causes, adopt
sectarian values, and put up barriers so that we are more comfortable with
God. Too often this means we have shrink-wrapped
our faith into something more palatable and less demanding. I know there are places where I do this. I cannot distill faith and following Christ down
to vinyl dolls and plastic dashboard ornaments.
The talismans are only as useful as their power to have faith in the one
to whom they point. Whether it be overzealous
spiritualism or dead orthodoxy, there is not a box that can contain who Jesus
is.
In the same way, I
cannot frame my faith in a way that makes the practices the path. The only way to really follow Christ is to do
so with all my heart in every moment.
That sounds so simple but it is also very challenging. If I am to live this way, most of my
presuppositions and preferences are subject to the will and guidance of the Spirit. Nothing is safe when everything is given over
to Christ. He is free to deal with us as
he wishes and he always wishes to do so in love. I must follow in faith and love, with the
assurance that neither of us will shrink-wrap the other and that love is my
safety. I hope you keep walking with me
Dear Reader until we realize that we do not need slipcovers to be comfortable
following Christ home.
Wishing you joy in
the journey,
Aramis Thorn
Mat 13:52 So Jesus
said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of
Christ’s rule of the universe is like a homeowner. He liberally hands out new
and old things from his great treasure store.”
(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
Contacts for Aramis
Thorn:
Bookings: aramisthorn@aramisthorn.com
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