We are
looking at the concept of being practical atheists. The question is asked each
week: “Are you who you say you are?” We claim to be Christians but it would
seem that when it comes to the practicalities of life, the daily decisions we
make, how we live life on a daily basis, we act as if there is no God. We are,
in many ways, Practical Atheists.
The response
has been very interesting. Most people leave worship quietly contemplating what
has been said and how it matches up with their lives. The overwhelming feedback
has been thanks for having the courage to challenge us to go deeper and be more
real with God. I have gotten a few: “How dare you?” “This brings back bad
memories.” “I don’t appreciate this kind of sermon.” And I understand those
feelings. As I told my congregation, “You are hearing this sermon on a Sunday
morning. I have been wrestling with the concepts and content for months.” And I,
too, find it to be challenging, irritating and upsetting. The difference with
me is that I have been at this Christian thing long enough to know that I am
never going to grow and change into the person God is calling me to be if I am
not challenged, irritated and upset by what God’s word has to say to me.
My concern
is that we have spent too much time and energy over recent years talking about
a God who loves us and expects nothing of us. And that is partially true. God
does love us. But God also expects something of us. Churches seem to have a
difficult time finding the middle ground between a God of love who is
constantly handing out lollypops and balloons and putting up with whatever
behavior we choose to display and a God who is angry and judgmental and perpetually
pissed. The truth lies in the fact that God is not one dimensional but is multifaceted
and complex. And it is all too easy to pick a single dimension we like and
worship only the god of that dimension.
All of the
sermon titles in this series contain the word “But.” “I Believe in God, But…”
It was suggested that our worship leaders in the contemporary service work that
rock classic, “I Like Big Butts” into the worship rotation. So far, it has not
showed up. I’m thinking that is a good thing. As I have been praying and
preparing these sermons, the “but” word keeps coming up. As I think about it I have
been reminded what a powerful word it is. We use it all the time and rarely
consider its meaning. When I was a child my mother told me that when we plant a
“but” in the middle of a statement what we are really saying is I didn’t mean
anything I said before the but. Think about it. Haven’t you said things like
this: I like you, but… I would do that, but… You can count on me, but… I would
love to be there, but…
Several
years ago, while struggling with a decision, a dear friend said to me, “We do
okay until our big buts get in the way.” He was saying that we confuse the
issue, we weaken our resolve, and we diffuse our direction when we put a “but”
into the mix. If we want to be clear and committed we do not say but. When we
say yes to God, there is no room for a “but”. Too often for too many years many
of us have said yes to God and reserved the right to add a “but”. Yes. God, I will
follow you, but don’t ask me to relocate. Yes, God, but don’t ask for enough of
my financial resources to impact my standard of living. Yes, God, but don’t ask
me to speak up for you or to share my faith because my friends might think I am
too religious. Yes, God, but don’t call me to do anything that might push me
out of my comfort zone. Yes, God, but don’t expect me to forgive that
*&$@@* that hurt my feelings. Yes, God, but don’t ask me to change my
lifestyle. Yes, God, but you won’t find me attending a worship service.
It is my hope
and prayer that those of us who profess to know, love and follow God will get
out buts out of the way. I have a feeling that when we do, we and the church
will look and act much differently and it will be a good thing.
Copyright ©
2013, William T. McConnell, All Rights Reserved
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