I plan on starting a blogging series called “Culture Shots” where I will basically just take something scriptural that tends to clash with some part of societal norms and expectations. This is the first of that series. I hope they are not taken as attempts to “rock the boat” or “be controversial,” but are simply things God and others are teaching me that seem to prove Jesus correct when He said “you can not be friends with God and the world “ and “the world will hate you because it first hated me.” Many of these are likely to be unpopular, but I ask you to each one with a clean slate, void of all experience, upbringing, and “logical” reasoning or arguments. Hear the whole message first; evaluate, then allow these things to approach the discussion. Enjoy :)

Culture Shots: Breaking the Roots

Many times people make life decisions and career moves based on “what makes sense.” Today I wish to challenge this path of thinking and decision-making. Often times God will call us onward and upward, but we refuse because it seems so much more backward and downward than Jesus promised life would be for those who love Him. Like when God calls a businessman going into an interview to take over a fortune 500 company to instead leave his job and work for a non-profit organization feeding children all over the world.

“God, how on EARTH is that onward and upward? I’ll be making multiple millions every year! I could do so much more with all that money! I don’t need it, I’ll give that away to feed dying children! I could still serve you just fine AND climb the ladders of business, finances, societal expectations and respect!”

“Trust Me”

“What was that? I don’t think I heard you right.”

“Trust Me.”

“I’m still hearing some clutter, I think I’ll go with the smart decision. It’s best for me and my family.”

The father of course is making the “smart” decision. After all, it’s logical, beneficial, nice, easy, a great opportunity, and what anyone else in their right mind would do.

Other signs of making the “right” decision include:

• I like this idea better
• This won’t be nearly as difficult for me or my family
• I have more connections here
• The money is better
• I have roots here
• It’s more comfortable for me
• I have responsibilities here
• People expect me to do this

The problem I have with this argument is that I hardly think anyone considered Jesus to be in His right mind.

            How this might relate a little better:

I work at the Wesley Foundation. As a staff member, intern, or Leadership team member, a “requirement” is that you join a Wesley Small Group. I have nothing wrong with this at all! Community is VITALLY important for spiritual growth and running the race with your “huge cloud of witnesses.” And of course, I think if you are called to minister somewhere, it is probably best to really be involved there in order to not just make it a job (ministry is life, not work).

            The issue reveals itself when what God has called me to this semester does not include a Wesley-specific small group, but rather a teaching/discussion once a month on smart dating and relationships. As for the community pouring into me, my fellow staff exhorts me QUITE often, but God has also clearly told me to spend time and do life with a group that I work out with every morning. These are very godly men that know me, know the Lord, and have so much to teach me and learn from me too.

            That doesn’t fit in some people’s expectations and system of doing things (including mine) But let me offer this;

Where you are and where you have roots is NOT as important as obeying the Holy Spirit in the moment that you are dwelling in.

Take Abraham:

Abraham had roots, family, history, and responsibilities where he was, but he WENT and OBEYED the Lord by going to the middle of nowhere!!!

And God blessed that.

            So, maybe I am not called to a fluid, affinity, or small group at the Wesley. Maybe I am called to do things that “don’t make much sense.” Or perhaps I am called to do BOTH. That could be a problem for some because I work there and therefore am SUPPOSED to, or am REQUIRED to be involved in one, two, or all of these things AT the Wesley. My response to that logic is, “I can either obey my Master and go where He is calling me while I am here…or I can leave. But I WILL NOT disobey the Lord simply because I have something ‘tying me down’ here or requirements that are EXPECTED of me. I will be Abraham. I will go where He leads. You can receive and support that as my brother, or we can part ways (#sorryimnotsorry).”

Luckily for me, I work and commune with a staff and community that supports that, because they truly know what it means to obey Jesus Christ above all others, often with reckless abandon.

But for anyone struggling with this tug-of-war between guidance and expectations, calling and career, Holy Spirit leading and responsibilities this is my advice:

            Jobs, history, education, opportunity, friends, relationships, family, duty, responsibility, expectation, logic, money, common sense…these are NOT reasons to disobey the difficult, uncomfortable, radical call Jesus Christ requests from your life.

            We must prioritize better.

                        We can continue making decisions the way the world makes them

                                    But we will surely find the same fate.

                        Or we can desperately seek the counsel of the eternal

            And declare that we are “not of this world.”

                                                                                    As for me…

            Obedience takes precedence over logic.

                                                Over reason.

                                                                        Over common sense.

                                                                                                                        Over duty.

Above all, Jesus works through the willing. Be willing to obey WHATEVER He leads you to, and His blessing is great!