Messy Spirituality
That's the title of the most recent book I've seen by Mike Yaconelli. There's something very appropriate about it and its subject because so many of us feel we're one of the huge mass of disappointed and disappointing people. I know there are extraordinary people around but my suspicion is that the bulk of us are like so many of the people in scripture--seriously flawed even in the areas of our strength.
Somewhere I read J.H. Jowett making a confession of this kind, "If there was even one area of my life that I thought was exceptional and truly given over to God I would be more content. But when I examine what I think might be my strongest areas they are so fitful and pathetic that I know the rest of me hardly bears examination." Those words aren't an exact verbal quote but they say what Jowett said. He was a man of saintly reputation and an outstanding preacher of some years ago. Messy spirituality we might say.
Then there was Abraham, the illustrious father of the faithful, who blundered mightily in the area of his greatest strength. Twice he denied Sarah was his wife to save his own life. Since God had promised him that he would father a child by Sarah and would become a father of a great nation, and more, a father of a multitude nations--since God had promised that no one could have killed Abraham. Not with a bazooka shot to his head. And yet he subjected his wife to a place in an Egyptian hareem. But once wasn't enough--he had to go do it again. One of the non-elect (Abimelech--a Philistine of all people, you might say) had to rebuke him for his scurrilous mistreatment of his wife. That he did because his faith deserted him. Messy spirituality.
The Hebrew writer knew what he was doing in Hebrews 11 when he makes his "hall of fame" list. Wonderful stuff--and true. But he left out the messy material about Samson, David, Jacob, Gideon and many others. He didn't deny their faith because it was genuine and it was genuine despite the fact that they stumbled and bumbled around even into old age. Picture David getting up on his elbow just before he dies and giving instructions like a Mafia godfather about who was to be killed so that the dynasty would be preserved. And yet, when you asked if an Israelite or Judean was a good king the answer depended on whether he clung to God "as did his father David." Somewhere down in the centre of David, down there in the midst of the messy spirituality the man had met God and wouldn't, couldn't, didn't want to let go of him.
So when we look in the mirror and wince at who looks back at us we should acknowledge that there is some serious "fine-tuning" (!) needed but if we're his we're his. We're glad he started the job and he promised he'll finish it. A day is coming when there'll be no more messy spirituality. (See "Finishing a Good Work".)
©2004 Jim McGuiggan. All materials are free to be copied and used as long as money is not being made.
Many thanks to brother Ed Healy, for allowing me to post from his website, the abiding word.com.