Let's get "Radical"

for some reason that title makes me think of olivia newton john. weird.

anyhoo...back to topic.

i'm always so interested by the christians that want to be "different". they usually want to be a part of a new move, a revolution, something "radical". at least, those are the words they use...and the passion usually comes from a pretty genuine place.

then they begin to build a sort of linguistic collage...word pictures...to define what the "new" new should look like.

they commit to taking care of the homeless, feeding orphans, living off the land, ending poverty, creating new/better ways of doing 'church' and/or 'community', withdrawing from the 'churchies' all together, obliterating hiv from the map, eliminating the sex trade, etc.

but in my mind...those things are sub-points...details...not remotely the defining points for 'radical', 'revolution', the 'new' new...regardless of how 'good' the cause is.

here's how i know that those things were never meant to be the core driving point for any movement...people make those passions into the standards...the dividing lines...the judging stick...the pat on the back for self...the thing that convinces them that they are moving in god's will.

i hate to say it, but those things aren't radical at all. there is no revolution in any of those.

here's what is mind-blowingly "rad, dude"...

living in active acceptance of god's love...not just standing in the flow of it, but letting it permeate our hearts (even the secret things)...plunking ourselves right in the center of god's heart...letting him be 'abba' (daddy)...and then moving in sway with his rhythm.

allowing a real relationship...

THAT'S a revolutionary way to live. ironically, it's the ancient way that can never get old. it's only 'new' because we settled for less and accepted 'boring' and 'impotent' as synonyms for 'normal'.

that way of life...well, it creates genuine freedom and becoming in the most internal places of the heart...actually produces a natural and powerful outflow of love for the world...a transforming, saving love as seen in mercy and supply for the poor, the homeless, the sick, the lost; as seen in powerful stewardship of possessions, gifts, people; as seen in a heart for fellowship and community across barriers, generations, races, etc. BUT...instead of being born out of an attempt to define or better self, to create or glean identity, to have a measurable behavioral standard for 'good christian', and whatever other more external motivations, they just flow out of god's heart right to ours...secondary to just being his.

(ya, that's my collage for the radical way...being his girl...or boy...) ;)

and regardless of whether my heart then moves for the homeless man or the pregnant girl or the christian youth or the overwhelmed mom or the rotary club or all the trees that need huggin'...it doesn't matter. we are joined in the primary, defining point...our 'radical' relationship with the divine.

i'd like to see a revolution of that these days...

i'm just sayin'...hehe.