salt-shaker.blog

As a gardener, I can appreciate the scene Jesus creates in the minds of his disciples: a  bustling fragrant vineyard, lush with grapes that promise celebratory times ahead. In comes the master gardener, His knife expertly slashing to remove nonproductive parts. Having done this with my tomato plants, I know how counterintuitive it feels as I stuff the yard waste bags with the cuttings. Some were obviously not healthy, but many could have lived, admittedly at the expense of the overall health of the plant. But at the end of the season I had a lot of canning to do! 

Our present American evangelical Christianity, probably some sort of backlash to a previous culture’s spiritual formalism or stagnancy, has morphed into something that lacks vitality and transformative dynamic. To be clear, there are many Jesus followers who reflect divine intervention and interaction, their hearts captivated by the love of God and their lives ordered in service to Him and others. Unfortunately, there are not  many churches with this reputation. We judge a tree by its fruit, remembering that Jesus warns to judge righteously. Too often we judge by the tares and not the wheat.

Selective fruit inspection is a common reason for many these days to de-church. The branches they would justifiably lop off are nationalistic politicism, doctrinally driven disdain, vitriolic contentiousness, and social inaction – to name a few. Sadly, dissenters often exude the same ugly condescension they detest in their targets. Compassion, curiosity, and tolerance are not generally extended to those they criticize. Too often God’s revelation of Himself and His plans are redefined to fit into more palatable culturally approved viewpoints. Sadly both sides, religious and disenchanted alike cut off branches using incomplete blueprints, boxing God in to fit their own particular definitions of morality. I think we will all be surprised one day at the extent of God’s intelligence in His design for spiritual vitality. What if morality isn’t the main thing He is after?

We really should leave the pruning to Him. John 15:4 says “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me…”.  “The phrasing Jesus used here was important. He didn’t say, If anyone does not bear fruit he is cast out. He said, if anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out. He knows who abides and who does not, and this can’t be perfectly discerned by our outward estimation of fruit.”  Enduring Word Commentary Read that italicized phrase again. This encourages me, as my life is so obscure, my ambition far outstripping my ability and opportunity, my intention frequently lacking follow-up, and my commitment to selfless love too often abandoned under pressure. My fairly uneventful outward life seems of little consequence to the casual observer and often to myself as well. Only the Gardener can identify the errant tendrils that can be safely pruned without crippling the plant.

But abiding is not a solitary pursuit. Jesus left us a community. A vine has many branches. A body has both embarrassing and attractive parts, at times soaring yet often stumbling. Jesus is the head. A building is stone upon stone, authentic love and forgiveness the mortar, Jesus and the apostles the foundation. Noticeably absent – just Jesus and me. That concept arrives with our current historical bias, absent for two thousand years. Nowadays you can attend the church of you where your doctrine is always right – because it’s unchallenged. There are plenty of sermons. podcasts, and blogs available to condone and promote the “Me and Jesus” church, the Bible according to you, the ‘all roads lead to God’ religion. We can conveniently distance ourselves from a church which disappoints,  separation even deemed virtue to our secularized culture. 

I apologize for the intensity. Time is short. Deception is rampant. Connection is difficult. Commitment is terrifying. Polarization is our current normal, so sharing communion and conversation with those whose differing opinions are annoying at best, makes isolation attractive – even seems moral. But think about it – you never see a vine with only one branch – unless it’s dying. Also, consider the demographics of those who first heard this message – so dissimilar, some diametrically opposed, and even including a despised tax collector.  Jesus knew what He was asking. Connection with others because of connection with Him. Warning label: extreme humility required!

I pray you find community, realizing you will never find the perfect church. The Spirit of God is moving right now – revitalizing, pruning, preparing. You are essential for this reformative work, and proximity is crucial here. The church, the body, the building needs the particular element that only you bring. Every joint supplies. Take a breath. Humble yourself. Ask His help. Go for it. 

we’re fragile but we don’t break/ when we come together we’re mosaic – Remedy Drive

Shalom

Bonus – here is a link to RD’s “Brighter than Apathy”