Created for a place I’ve never known …

I’ve been trying for days to finish up some thoughts on the Emergent Church. For some reason, they just are not coming together as I had planned. A few minutes ago I sat down at my computer to try to write more, and I had an urge to write about something that has been in my mind a lot lately — our eternal home. As I grow older, it’s something that I long for more and more. And the thought of it brings such hope and peace, and the knowledge that I shall someday “get in” gives me strength to fight my little battles here on earth. My apologies to those of you who were expecting to read about the EC … hopefully they will come soon. For now …

Sometimes the weight of the world seems so strong upon me…
…and I want to go home.

Sometimes the allurement of the culture surrounds me…
…and I want to go home.

Sometimes the ache of missing people overwhelms me …
…and I want to go home.

What a wonderful thought that this world is not my home. As promising, and exciting, and beautiful as it can be, this is not a place of permanency. The pain, the sorrow, the sickness, the sin will all pass on, and we will be ushered into our true home. What a joy it will be to dwell in harmony with everyone, to never fear, to never worry, to never miss. To see God face to face and never die.

As I traveled last fall, I often wished to stay longer in certain places that I traveled through. The sights of Seattle, Boston, New York, Providence all called to me to stay, to inquire, to explore. But ultimately, I was to return home. My purpose was not to stay in any one of those places for long, but to merely pass through. I knew that at some point, I was going to go home. No matter how appealing a town, no matter how picturesque the countryside, no matter how great the attraction, I longed for home.

Up until last year, I never had such longings for my eternal Home. I was never excited about it, because I knew so little about it. But as I study, and learn, and hear about my Home, I long more and more to be there. All the beauty of this world, multiplied beyond what my finite mind can imagine, with all the hurt, the misunderstandings, petty annoyances and deep scars taken away. If there is beauty to be found in this world, what more exquisite things will be discovered in the next?

Sometimes I get an ache in my heart, I long for something I can’t quite wrap my mind around, something that isn’t fulfilled by anything around me, and I long to go Home. I’m reminded that my life here is temporary. My tendency is to long for the Home country so much that I forget that there is a reason for my existence in this lifetime. Now. I know that my Lord desires the best for me, and right now that means doing His will, serving Him, loving others. Later, it will mean eternal, permanent residence with Him in glory. And I cannot wait. I’m filled with joy … with hope for the future … with peace.

“These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country…But now they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.”

At present we are on the outside of the world, the wrong side of the door. We discern the freshness and purity of morning, but they do not make us fresh and pure. We cannot mingle with the splendors we see. But all the leaves of the New Testament are rustling with the rumor that it will not always be so. Some day, God willing, we shall get in.

Emerging Thoughts

Below is a link to an article about a book (that I have not yet read) about the Emerging Church. The book is written by two guys who fit the typical “Emergent Church demographics” and yet refuse to follow the “trend.” I would encourage you to check it out. I’m in the process of organizing my thoughts about the movement and will hopefully have the first set of them posted before the weekend (no promises, though).

The emerging church is something I’ve watched for some time now, and while I can appreciate a lot of what it is about, there is much danger in a lot of the doctrines “emerging.” More to come on that later. For now, read the article — I’d love to hear your thoughts (via the comments feature or my email address if you have it).

Why Two Guys Who Should Be Emergent Aren’t

Mercy and Truth

If ever there were polar opposites, this would be the pair.

On the one hand, we see Truth
He stands tall and erect
And like Lady Justice,
Remains unflinchingly sure and strong.

On the other hand abides Mercy
Sitting graceful and compassionate
And like Grace,
Extends herself to the most undeserving.

Both, when isolated, create monsters.

Truth ever pushes his way through
(Often in the most direct way possible)
Removes other options
And disdains all figures save his own.
In his path lies salvation
But without Mercy, without care,
There bodes destruction.

Mercy comforts those around her
(Often to her own neglect)
She so cares for others
That she forgets her friend Truth
And settles for other options.
In her path, many are made glad
But without Truth, without light,
They are brought to destruction.

This, then, the paradox:
Truth – strong, obstinate, right.
Mercy – compassionate, soft, honorable.
Truth, without Mercy, often presents himself in ways too harsh.
Mercy, without Truth, often misguides and misdirects.
Only when the two are coupled – married – together
Can they bring unity, joy, fulfillment.
For Truth without Mercy is harsh
And Mercy without Truth, deceptive.

A paradox? Yes. But a hopeless union? No.
For only when they abide together
Do they bring out the magnificence of the other.
Mercy is the beautiful companion of Truth,
And Truth the valiant protector of Mercy.

Contemplations from a Play-Set

When I was little, my sister and I, along with a neighborhood friend, used to imagine ourselves in all sorts of interesting situations. One of our favorite settings for such ventures was the “jungle gym” play-set in the backyard. Many adventures were centered around this simple construction of wood, metal, and rope. Playing in this structure transported us into a world of our own. By climbing up the ladder, walking around the interior of the play-set, and then sliding down the pole, we were transformed into a different world (often one where animals could talk, and where everything seemed just a bit unnatural). By sliding down the slide and jumping onto our bicycles, we became police officers, whizzing down the street to solve some mystery or prevent crime. Using our imaginations, we were able to take our surroundings and transport ourselves into whatever place, whatever situation we wanted.

That was many years ago. I no longer play on the set in the backyard, and I don’t have any desire to enforce the law for a living. There is a way, however, that I can cut myself off from my surroundings, and delve into a world all my own. This way is not via my imagination, but rather the imaginations of others. As a child, I used to watch the Jetsons and wish that technology could take me to different places, different worlds. And now, technology can. Perhaps not in the same way that the Jetsons flew about in their space cars, but in a way nearly as interesting.

The technology of which I speak has become very prevalent in culture today. It appears in various forms, but has the same “transporting” effects. Devices are owned by nearly every teen in the country that have the ability to lift a person out of their current surroundings and into another with the twist of a dial, the press of a button, or the click of a “mouse.” iPods, cell phones, laptops and the like all serve these purposes. They don’t innately, but have the ability.

We’ve all seen it, perhaps in dozens of situations. You’re walking through a mall, but really are miles away with a friend. You’re sitting at the airport, waiting. The person next to you looks nice, but isn’t actually there. Culture provides us with the tools to whisk ourselves away into whatever world we like, whether that is with friends, or caught up in the solitude of our own minds. As soon as the buds go in, the bubble pops out. You’re safe. Confrontation no longer becomes an option. That conversation you really don’t want to have, or that person you really don’t want to interact with suddenly no longer poses a threat. You are wrapped in your bubble of protection.

And cut off from reality. I think we do not realize how much is missed by resorting to such actions.

Imagine this scenario: Two new people show up one night at your church. They just moved from out of town, and have both chosen this church to attend. Andrew quickly makes new friends and has a great time. Kayla, on the other hand, has had a harder time. She doesn’t seem to be making friends, and is often by herself. Both have great personalities, and both have the potential to interact with others, but only Andrew is exercising that potential. The difference between the two? Action. When Andrew is at church, he is constantly talking with new people, and spending time developing new relationships. When Kayla arrives, she chooses to sit by herself, iPod in hand; ear buds in, bubble up.

How is such a bubble to be penetrated? Or is that the point?

Kayla missed precious opportunities not only to know other people, but to invest in their lives. Our self-centered society tells us to focus on what will please and better ourselves, and so we have been trained to look out for number one. Think of all the time gone by – never to be yours again – that has been spent on yourself instead of on others. By resorting to our protective technology-bubbles, we are satisfying our needs, but perhaps neglecting the needs of others. We’re also missing the chance to get to know other people, to share in their joys, and weep over their sorrows. In a word, we’re missing a very dear part of life.

Just as my jungle gym was very innocent and provided the means of “escaping” to a different world, the world of my imagination, so technology is merely a means to an end. It can bring great pleasure, but when used in excess can keep you from the very things you seek – happiness, joy, fulfillment. Because when people escape, they’re escaping from the things that make them uncomfortable. But sometimes the things that are uncomfortable in the beginning bring the greatest joy and comfort in the end.

Welcome and Purpose

Welcome!

This blog has been long in the making, and now I’m pleased to introduce to you Inquisitive Musings. This is where I plan to record thoughts, ideas, commentaries, book/movie reviews and critiques of culture, all as they come to me. I hope to write fairly regularly, but there are no promises at this point.

To be quite honest, I’m a little nervous to be embarking on this endeavor. It’s something I’ve thought about a lot, and have put off for awhile just because I’m not sure that what I’ll write would be interesting to anyone besides myself. So here begins the experiment, and the adventure. Enjoy. Feedback is always appreciated.