Promise of a New Day IV

A simple explanation for why I haven't been around more: I'm training. For me, training is a huge undertaking, as I'm not in great shape to start with. This week it was about 15 hours: 30 miles of walking, plus weights, bike and stairmaster. I am not looking for kudos for that, my point is, this time takes me away from other things I should be doing. The other really interesting side effect, as I'm into week 4 of this routine, is I have an abundance of energy many days. This means when I'm home, I feel rather disinclined to sit and read blogs and write. In fact, I can't sit still some days...so many other neglected things are getting done around here...but the blog...not so much.

In my last post we discussed labels. Or, more specifically, the label of Christian. My friend Gary has been addressing this recently; the question of whether or not we ought to retain the label of Christian, even with its resident baggage. As well there is a post I found through a FB update by Jim Palmer, addressing the issue of the "Christian" label from another angle. Nicole got in on this topic, and Jeff has written about it several times recently. Apparently this is something many people have on their minds.

The big question: To be or not to be...a 'Christian', that is.

In my last post, Jon said,

"it is not so much what [the label of 'Christian'] does to YOU that is the problem, it is what it does to the "hearer" of the label and all the assumptions about you that get heaped on once the word is uttered."

Over the last few years I have come to generally reject the label of 'Christian' for all it's negative connotations that are impossible to avoid. However, when reading one of Gary's posts, it occurred to me that maybe the problem is more simply resolved than trying to create a new label that I feel accurately represents my faith. Instead, I wonder if it only matters from what angle we are looking at the label.

In one of his posts, Gary says,

"I am looking at trying to define who I am primarily for my own internal orientation, a point of reference. I am not trying to adopt a label off the shelf and make it mine. I am trying to take a shopworn label and apply my own meaning to it for my own reference."

I think maybe the definition of the label 'Christian' must arise from some internal orientation, rather than an external expectations. Maybe Christians' collective problems with others' practice of the Christian faith comes from the refusal to accept that our angle on faith is internally driven, that each of us is called to a different place in the faith from the Spirit within, and we ought to prize our own place more than we worry about someone else's place being different than ours. Likewise, maybe those who make assumptions about Christians from outside the faith need to realize that 'Christian' is a broad term, with many possible variations.

Not to suggest that we go around announcing our faith to anyone who will hear it, but as an argument point: if I identify myself as Christian and someone who does not know me chooses not to know me for simply that reason, whose responsibility is that. Really? Likewise, if I identify myself as Christian, and someone who doesn't know me chooses to get to know me, they will find by my attitude and actions just what "kind" of Christian I really am. I am not self-righteous, judgemental, critical, bible-beating. I simply follow Jesus' mandate to LOVE.

This realization was intense and profound to me, deeply changing the way I see myself and my chosen faith persuasion. If I choose to apply a label because it reflects what is resounding in my own soul, I can embrace it because it is uniquely mine. In the pit of my soul, the word 'Christian' means I have chosen to seek Jesus as my way. Nothing more, no additives, no preservatives. Unadulterated Jesus.

And I leave you with this little tidbit of wisdom, from "Break it Down Again" by Tears for Fears:

"When it's all mixed up
Better break it down
In the world of silence
In the world of sound

"It's in the way you're always hiding from the light
Fast off to heaven just like moses on a motorbike
No revolution
Maybe someone somewhere else
Could show you something new to help you with the ups and downs
I want to break it down
Break it down again

To be continued...

Promise of a New Day I
Promise of a New Day II
Promise of a New Day III
Promise of a New Day IV
Promise of New Day V
Promise of a New Day: Epilogue