July 1, 2007 (late night)

I have a theory I’m working on. It goes something like this: When you finally make your way back to the beach and you sink your feet deep into the hot sand, the length of your immediate and first “Ahhhhhh” is in direct correlation to the thirst of your soul.
I’m thirsty. I think that’s a good thing. I think it’s a God-thing that I’m here.
There are some pieces of my life that don’t make much sense right now. Why has finding a house in Atlanta been such an agonizing process? Why were great relationships suddenly jerked out from underneath me back in Colorado? I’m thirsty. I’m hungry.
I don’t really think it’s a hunger and thirst for just a house… or even just for friends that I dearly miss. I think this is a God-hunger. I think there’s something deeper going on that I want to discover.
Sometimes it seems like God’s mercy and love are a bit waning as I trudge through my questions. And then Oswald Chambers beats me over the head today with this: “Yet you ask, ‘Is this a God of mercy and love?’ When seen from God’s perspective, it is a glorious ministry of love. God is going to bring you out pure, spotless, and undefiled, but He wants you to recognize the nature you were exhibiting --- the nature of demanding your right to yourself.” Ouch.
Lord, how can I plainly, simply, and yet powerfully be a tree that’s planted by streams of water (Ps. 1:3)? As I write this, the ocean breeze is swirling about our 5th floor balcony. Below, I can see a stately palm tree sway and drink in the late-night sea mist. Not much doing… not much running around… not much activity… and yet prospering in whatever it does. As the palm tree’s branches rustle in the wind, I’m reminded how even creation praises and recognizes the Creator in ways that I perhaps never have. A planted tree. Imagine.
How can I simplify? Can I be simply and plainly and yet powerfully planted in God’s purpose?
Lately I’m attracted to ideas of simplicity. Is there a simpler way of getting to and from work in Atlanta traffic? Can my Ipod help me simplify my music choices? Is there really a chance my bank can simplify all my banking, financial, and bill-paying needs? It’s why I love the “install now” button on my computer. Simplicity.
Seems like many are in pursuit of this elusive state. Madison Avenue and marketing gurus everywhere seem to be tapping into this quest for simple.
And what about church? Can it be simple? Have we made it too complicated? Is a successful church supported by a bunch of programs and activities? Are the programs and activities helping or crippling people? My problem is that I’m not a very good programmer. I’m more of a designer. These days I’m more and more convinced there is a simple design for church that makes disciples. Maybe it’s as simple as love, feed, connect, and motivate. Maybe.
I’m two chapters in with a great book called “Simple Church” by Thom Rainer and Eric Geiger. The writers suggest: “Perhaps we are losing ground not despite our overabundance of activity but because of it.” This has been my sense even before picking up this book. Confirming the “stuff” that’s going on inside of me, Rainer and Geiger again prod my thinking as they write: “Instead of a chasm of separation existing between purpose and process, could the two be the same? Instead of distancing the “what” and the “how”, could they be combined?” Genius. Great thoughts. Simple.
Can a church really do this? What about all the conventions and conferences I’ve been to that say otherwise? There are many models for complicated church.
This morning we took the family to our favorite church we like to visit when we come to the beach (see attached pix). Man they do church well. The band was outstanding. The programs and classes offered in their very active lobby (whatever happened to the “narthex?”) were enough to make your head and the fish on your car swim. I picked up flyers and brochures and handouts and anything free I could grab. I was very impressed. I was immediately flooded with guilt for not attaining such high levels of activity and “success.”
But then I started thinking about simple church. Making disciples. Didn’t Jesus confront the Jewish leaders because they had made God too complicated?
What’s the lesson for me as I watch a simple palm tree BE so magnificient?
God, show me what’s really stirring inside of me. Pour into me. Please help me to see what my real thirst and hunger is, and then fill me up (and oh, by the way, I could still use a house!!).