In Luke 9:51-62, Jesus is headed to Jerusalem but makes a quick stop at a Samaritan village. He didn’t tarry long as they weren’t really cool with him staying there. (I guess word hadn’t gotten back to them about how Jesus was using them as example of how to be a good servant regardless of race or creed). Along the way, those traveling with him wanted to start a Forrest Gump-style running club and pledged to follow him wherever he went. He warned them three times that he had no home and that following him meant giving up family and obligations.
If Jesus had PR people, this is where they would have been doing a facepalm. Not the most encouraging recruitment speech he’d ever given.
This passage, along with the one about the rich man wanting to know how to get to heaven (see Mark 10:17-25), is troubling for someone who loves her stuff. No one ever said following Christ’s example would be easy, but how am I supposed to apply this to my modern lifestyle?
Am I unfit to be a servant of Christ because I enjoy the comforts of modern life? Am I too dedicated to my family to truly follow him?
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Growing up, I went to a church camp that taught the “I’m Third” philosophy. Jesus first, others second, and yourself last. “I’m Third” makes a nice sentiment for a trendy leather cuff bracelet, but do we really, really understand what it means? As Christians are we truly prepared to put ourselves last in every situation?
How, then, are we to live? Jesus teaches us that the greatest commandment is to love God and love our neighbor. But this passage from Luke makes it sound like we are being asked to forsake family and creature comforts if we choose to walk in the footsteps of Christ. Is it not enough to walk humbly with God and do no harm?
Maybe it’s impossible to truly be humble in a comfortable life. I’ve always believed God gave us his Son so we would know how to live, so we could have an example who walked among us, who was fully human, fully understood the human condition, and could fully forgive. It’s a tough order to live up to, but Christ warns us over and over that his way is not the easy way.
The question today remains: how, then, should we live? Does God want or expect us to literally live as Christ did? Day to day, hand to mouth, not knowing where we will lay our heads at night?
Am I a poor example of Christ if I have a savings account and a retirement plan?
I simultaneously feel guilty about paying four dollars for a pumpkin spice latte, but I enjoy every last drop. It’s just so delicious. Are the trappings of our modern economy keeping us from experiencing heaven on earth? If so, then what is the answer? Socialism? Living in a commune? Going off the grid? Those black jumpers, bonnets, and driving a horse and buggy don’t sound too bad.
If you have read all of this hoping for an answer to the question of how to live in this world but not be of it, how not to be trapped in a society that depends on consumerism, how to not crave the all-powerful pumpkin spice latte, I’m sorry. I don’t have any answers for you.
The intersection of everyday life and faith is a tangled mess. Maybe this is why we are advised to pray without ceasing. Before jumping headlong into decisions, we must consider the consequences. Are we spending our money wisely or just satisfying our desires? How will words spoken to our spouses be perceived by little ears that are always paying attention? Are comments online reflective of the love of Christ or do they tear others down? How do the things we use or waste affect God’s creation?
It may seem like a lot of work to constantly ask ourselves how we should live, but Christ never promised an easy road. Thankfully, his mercy and patience are abundant.
Contributor to The Glorious Table
Stephanie Clinton is a writer and blogger but more importantly, a wife and mother to two little boys. In her free time (if there is any) she can be found wiping snotty noses and volunteering in her community and school. Learn more about Stephanie along with her passion to encourage women and lighten their load at www.hugskissesandsnot.com.
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nice job Stephanie!