11-10-20

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
November 10, 2020
Scripture: Colossians 3:1-3
So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

Thought for the Day: I hope it is ok if I spend a few days on the third chapter of Colossians. It has been where I’ve been doing some personal study the last week or so. First, I need to get to the point where I do not type “Colossians” incorrectly as it keeps on spellchecking it to Collisions which would be very confusing to the reader. Second, Paul likes a lot of dualistic language – above and below, dark and light, spirit and flesh, Jew and Gentile, etc. He likes categories, and who can blame him. Categories give structure, and structure gives a sense of peace. Of course, is it genuine peace if the categories are not necessarily accurate? What happens when the world tries to make us fit in a certain category, but we do not feel comfortable in either one of the options? Dualism has some real danger to it, and we have too often ignored those who are sitting on the sidelines. Even more concerning are those, and I would suggest it is a majority of people, who have forced themselves into a category because they were made to feel as if they had no other option. With all of that said, I do appreciate Paul’s imagery of striving toward a more God-like perspective of life. We might refer to this as a heavenly perspective (above), but of course the incarnation is the story of God coming close to get a more hands-on perspective. So which is it? Are we to have a more lofty and pure perspective, or are we to have one that is fully involved in the flesh, sweat, fun, mess, questions, sex, beauty and uncertainty of daily life? Could it be a mixture of both? Could having our feet firmly on the ground and our lives fully entangled in the muddle of daily life actually provide a heavenly perspective? I don’t know, except to say that I do not feel comfortable in committing to one over the other.

Prayer: As the world might try to shoehorn me into a specific category, I trust that you, Gracious God, will love me even when I do not fit. Call your church to display a love of all those who have never fit. In doing so, we might just discover your kingdom on earth. Amen.

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