I’ve sat down to write several times in the past few weeks, but, ultimately, I abandoned multiple “drafts-turned-cathartic-journaling.” There’s no shortage of events or trends to analyze. We’ve collectively felt the need for a redemptive imagination, right?
But nothing I wrote felt quite right. I think I became exhausted by the “opinion machine” that is the Internet.
Instead, I’ve had many fascinating conversations. I read Dallas Willard and Dietrich Bonhoeffer. I sat in silence. I attended a conference about Spiritual formation. I studied community organizing strategies for social change. I listened to Christians who engage in public life for the common good of all. I thought about St. Francis. I probably did consume more media than I should have. But I also did my best to respond to the noise with deep reflection, talking to trusted friends, journaling, prayer, and considering how to be a faithful, Kingdom witness in my world.
Rather than writing an article here, I decided to write a list of lessons I’ve been learning.
I’m definitely drawn to teaching. I get opportunities to teach and preach. I want to be a strong voice for justice and peace. I have a conviction that true, Christlike theology inspires liberation for the oppressed and love for our neighbors.
But I also want to be a learner more than a speaker.
By listing lessons, I’m admitting that I need wisdom. Perhaps you can become a learner with me.
Lessons I’m Learning:
You don’t have to post the first thing you think of (or the first thing you write on Substack).
There is a particular kind of hopelessness when you’re living the “eternal now” of public, algorithm-controlled outrage. Imagination stirs hope because it’s not limited by the present moment.
The kind of society we have is a good representation of the kind of people we are.
“Nothing of what we despise in another is itself foreign to us.” - Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Empathy is inherently good.
“Authenticity is not the same as transparency.” - Sarah Westfall
Everything of value to the Kingdom of God must find its roots in love.
“When we cannot hold complexity, we create enemies. We ‘exile’ people or beliefs if they become a threat to our simplistic framework.” Dr. Alison Cook
The fruit of an idolatrous culture is disreality, chaos, and the distortion of religion.
“We burn so much energy containing shame, which is then energy we don’t have available to risk for love.” - Dr. Curt Thompson
The end justifies the means = the most dangerous logic.
“We are not Christ, but if we want to be Christians it means that we are to take part in Christ’s greatness of heart, in the responsible action that in freedom seizes the hour and faces the danger, and in the true sympathy that springs forth not from fear but from Christ’s freeing and redeeming love for all who suffer. Inactive waiting and dully looking on are not Christian responses.” - Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Violence thrives where “Otherness” thrives. But disciples of Jesus aren’t supposed to create any “Others.”
Outstanding lessons! I was just preparing an outline for a lecture that will go to Bible study leaders in a large ministry, and I immediately wrote this lesson down on my paper: "Everything of value to the Kingdom of God must find its roots in love." So true, so powerful, so well said....thank you!
I love it