Hard to believe that it is going on the end of January and I finally feel like winter finally arrived here in Buffalo. This type of weather makes me want to go skiing. I love skiing, I think I love it because it is one of those things that you never really master, just like golf, but I have a hard time being a Christian when I golf, not only don't I ever master it but sometimes I really suck, this brings out the "bad" jim, and the harder I try the worse I get on the course, so I am going to stick to skiing right now. There are two types of techniques in skiing; one makes you go really slow and stay in control, the "snowplow", and one is very fast with almost no control, what I call the "tuck and run". The snowplow is what is used the first time skiing to allow the new skier to be in almost complete control while moving very slowly down the hill. This gets old real fast. The whole point is to make it down the hill, and as I have progressed in skiing I realize that there are such small differences in angles that either keep me either upright or wiping out. The edge of the ski is where this all takes place, this is where the right amount of pressure, turned just at the right time maximizes both speed and control. It is at this place where foot meets boot, meets metal ski, meets snow that my fate is determined. I choose not to snowplow. Snowplowing is no fun. Snowplowing is for little kids and people who are scared. I don't think snowplowing is really even skiing, the way skiing is intended to be enjoyed. There is very little risk though in this technique, not much chance of falling, and when you do it doesn't hurt, but this isn't skiing. The out of control "tuck and run" technique isn't exactly skiing either, this is an out of control racing, that more often than not ends with ski's, poles, and various articles of clothing strewn up and down the slopes. No control, no ability to make changes in direction, hoping that nothing gets in your way as you careen down the hill. Our chrisitianity is lived out in that place where our personality meets God, meets faith, meets the culture of our world. This is the place where it is fun to be a Christian, where the enjoyment of seeing God interact with us, and us with our culture occurs. Is it safe? No not really, it is actually scary at times, but it is lived out in that space where all collide, us, God and the world. There is no place I would rather be than right in the middle of that volatile formula. The reality is that is where real Christianity happens, safety feels good to us, recklessness may sometimes beckon but it is in the place where we embrace the risky call of our lives into the world that is true Christianity. Enjoy the slopes!
2 comments:
Well said. As I read this I couldn't help but think about some of the situations we found ourselves in while in Zambia. There were times when our safety and our health were put at serious risk but somehow it seemed okay. The risk seemed to pale in comparison to seeing God move right before our very eyes. Today I got a shot for a PPD test. Thursday I'll find out if I test positive for Teburculosis. I probably won't.
You're right though, you can't just play it safe. If we all play it safe then only the "safe" people will be reached. What about the sick? What about those who, because of their risk, real or percieved, have run out of options? Just a thought. I have more thoughts but Meredith just told me that this section is for "comments" not another blog entry.
jim, i gotta tell you man, if you want me to read this thing, you gotta get on it. when did you post, tuesday? that was three days ago, did nothing happen since then? you could blog about how i skipped your links group and got 25% off a toliet by spinning the wheel of savings. that was so sweet i might even start my own blog.
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