"I stake the future on the few humble and hearty lovers who seek God passionately in the marvelous, messy world of redeemed and related realities that lie in front of our noses."

-William McNamara

Getting to the Point of Sacrifice

I went to a small group on Monday night and had a fresh insight into Lent.  I've observed Lent to varying, growing degrees over the past few years.  As I remarked to one friend this year, the liturgical seasons have a larger significance for me in transitioning travels from place to place and in the absence of other life rhythms like school semesters.  Whether I see snow or falling leaves or freshly-tilled soil, I can count on 12 months taking me through the life and death of Jesus.

So yes.  This season of Lent.  Simplicity.  Discipline.  Focus.  And I've always sort of vaguely understood Lent as a time of sacrifice.  Sacrifice that doesn't even nearly approach what we're talking about Jesus doing in dying for our redemption, but sacrifice in some mystical, general way.  So some of us give up meat or sugar or facebook and draw closer to God in the process.  But this little meditation that we did talked about the central sacrifice at stake as we approach Easter is dignity: 

"if I am honest, my Lenten sacrifice is mostly self-help-- giving up something I probably should not be doing anyway.  Would I risk my reputation or any of the other things that give me a sense of dignity in order to help others?  Do I treat my dignity as a gift of which I am a grateful steward, or as something that I have earned?"

Chewing on that, and on Philippians 2:5-11, I began to think about our common perception of dignity.  It's something we hold onto, fearfully protective.  We talk about earning the respect of others-- often for good things we do.  And yet, there is this crazy invitation if we take seriously what it means to be like Christ, who didn't exploit his equality with God, but emptied himself, humbled himself, became obedient to the point of death-- even death on a cross.  It is an invitation to know our worth without having to earn it.  In sacrificing all dignity, Jesus clothed us in the worth and unending love of the Father.  What would happen if we gave up something a little dearer than chocolate cake?

Somethin's Happenin Here

(Praise God!)

For the first time in a while, I've been BUSY.  Not pretend-busy, not finding things to do here and there, but legitemately, dawn-to-dusk (or mid-morning to late evening...) busy.  It all started almost two weeks ago-- and yes, it's been an excuse for sparse blogging.  I've continued meeting with people doing ministry here in the city, and those meetings have transitioned from lots of "Hi, What do you do?" conversations into "Let's talk more about ____" discussions.  That is deeply reassuring and hopeful to me.  Baby steps and opening doors.

Then, as blogged about last week, I spent a day in Ensenada, Mexico.  The next day, I met up with a former Trek student (going to Mexico City this summer as Trek staff!) and then went into team meeting mode.  Thursday through Saturday were Urban Mosaic meeting and training days, so the 4 other guys on our team with Geoff and me rolled in from Seattle and greater L.A.  It was wonderful to finally put faces with names, to hang out, learn more about Appreciative Inquiry as a congregational change process, and grapple with team identity, purpose, and performance.

Yeah, that mouthful about congregational change appreciative WHAT?  =)  Basically, Appreciative Inquiry is a very intentionally positive way of going about change-- applicable to any institution.  We see Biblical principles all over it, because it finds and affirms what is right and good in an organization (Philippians 4:8, as a relevant support).  It's a lot like doing community development based on assets or evaluating a person by his/ her strengths.  Fleshing out our reading with hands-on understanding and dialogue brought out the potential delights and difficulties of using the methodology in a church setting.

Then, after a day of sabbath rest, a new week roared into action with a day-long conference with Luis Palau CityFest folks, followed by some other good, God-infused meetings.  And now it feels right to take a few days to stay on top of emails and administrative joys.  Oh Lord, be my guide...!