This morning at work, we had a professor from Wheaton College, Dr. Jerry Root, speak to us about the topic of Evangelism. He's a very wise soul, one that you could sit and listen to for hours. In the span of our time together, he spoke not only about evangelism and sharing the Gospel, but about all sorts of life lessons and faith applications. One little snippet was a quote he shared from C.S. Lewis (he's a C.S. Lewis expert and scholar…to be expected). He talked about how we have the tendency to re-read books from time to time, and how it's not the lack of knowledge of the content or plot that keeps us reading them, but rather it's something in the book that tugs at our hearts and creates in us some sort of longing for "other," ultimately a longing for heaven. (Side note, Dr. Root also shared a story from the movie "The Notebook" and tied it to our deep relational need for God. We need more men in the world like him. :)) Hearing all this today while also re-reading "Searching for God Knows What" by Donald Miller has gotten me to thinking.
Books and movies tend to capture our emotions, sweep us away in a story, and touch the longings of our hearts. The same can be said for music, poetry, and art as well. I would even go so far to say that all of humanity has a certain form of appreciation for the arts in some capacity. There's nothing quite like a beautiful song, a dramatic plot, or a carefully placed brush stroke to catch our attention and tug at something deeper within us. And what is at the core of us, but our longing for God, for purpose, and for relationship? Yet, when it comes to our faith, we so often conceptualize it through the concrete and tangible--lists and rules, structure and organization. We want to know our spiritual performance, measure our religious growth, and assess our relational status. Yet, these structural concepts are not the things of sonnets or love stories. These don't speak the language of artistic masterpieces, rhythmical melodies, or a lingering kiss.
So, what gives?
Here's the thing. Let me share a little from my personal experience. I have never been "good" at feelings. Someone asks me how I feel, and my immediate response is "I think…" So, when it comes to my faith, the graph chart approach works really well. Break it down into something measurable, and I'm set. Want me to check off a list of to-do's and then mark my progress on a timeline? Sure, that would be great. I spent the majority of my childhood and early teen years in this mindset. Do this, don't do that, and get a gold star in heaven. Yet, turn the tables and ask me to "feel" and relate? That's much more uncomfortable and unknown.
But the truth is, our faith IS relational. It's dynamic and ever-changing. There's a definite time and place for structure and discipline (believe me!), but it cannot be the basis of our faith. We need the stuff of poets and lovers. We need a close, intimate relationship with God, the One who loves us more than human words could ever convey. No amount of structure or rules or formulas could ever replace or fabricate that.
May we be encouraged this week to bask in His presence and be overwhelmed by His love.
"See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!" 1 John 3:1
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