#snapoutofit

I hope you enjoy the piece my lovelies :) .

self vs self.

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who are you..

you are me..

well.. I don’t mean me.. I mean you.

I am you..

you are me..

but who is me? .. who is you? ..me is you.. you is me..and you is everything that you shall be.

you are paradox. you are special . you are relaxation and breath of fresh air. you are talented. you are different. you are unique. you are smart . you are loving .. but you are dangerous.. to yourself and your surroundings..why? because you don’t need anyone .. and so no one knows; that you’re getting ready to explode. this mental war.. it’s making you crazy. you fight . I see that you do .. and I hurt for you.. like you hurt for me.. because your potential.. we both know it..you and me, me and you..but it’s fading with time.. damn..

unfortunately, you’re running out of time ..damn.

-alexishanel

Part 3 – Snap Out of It!!

“Thank you for applying for …”  “We regret to inform you …” “After careful consideration …” “… don’t meet our qualifications.”  

Maybe we should send one of these letters to the church.  Just let them know that it’s just not working out, or they’re not a “fit” for today’s world, and call it even.  Then we could start over with the right people for the right job.  Or, more like the right heart for the right calling.  

But first, let’s review a bit:

In part 2, we “cliffhanged” (yes that’s a word because I made it up) with a couple of questions that just might make good fodder for an examination of our hearts, as we look to God, and to the culture, and say “God, we sense what you are calling us to do.  How do we do that in this day?  In this culture?” and “God, why are people turning away from the church?”  But we also have to heed a bit of cautious advice along with these questions, because if we ask those questions, (and we must), we better be prepared to hear what God has to say, because many of us will not like what God has to say.  Many will turn away, and say “no” to God.  Many will say … through actions and attitudes … “we don’t need your help God. We’ve been doing just fine all these years, and we’ll just keep doing it. (see part 1 of this “Irreverent Rant” from November 29.)  Many will say “what’s in it for me?”  Some will plant their feet firmly, standing their irrelevant, broken and dying ground for what they want.  Some will choose to bully, sabotage and destroy leaders who lead the way in living out God’s call.  (translation: leaders who get in the way of personal agendas).  But why? What’s so hard about living out God’s call?  Change, that’s what.  Hard Change.  Moving cheese … upsetting applecarts … making waves ... rocking the boat kind of change.  Doing things differently.  Saying “no” to some ministries and events, and saying “yes” to trying new ministries. Diversity in the congregation.  Changes to reach those who are otherwise occupied and uninterested. Meaningful, purpose-filled changes that will bring life!  In order to do that, we’ve got to “snap out of it!!!” (as far as our status quo, power-seeking, conformity-demanding personal agenda views on what it means to be a church). (I can’t help but picture Cher swatting Nicholas Cage, saying “Snap out of it!” in Moonstruck.  However, a better and more real example is when Thomas touched the resurrected Jesus, and exclaimed “my Lord and my God!”  (John 20:28). Talk about “snap out of it,” Thomas is the original poster child for snappage!)  

So when we say “yes!” to God, we must be aware that God does not promise us that it will be an easy path. If we dare to lead … and lead courageously … we must be willing to embrace the fact that what we knew (and embraced) in the past is not today’s reality.  Culture and society are different now.  Many families consist of two working parents, because that’s what it takes to put a rented roof over the family, have two cars (because both parents work,) insure two cars and the house, pay for childcare, and eat out a lot because mom and/or dad, or mom/mom or dad/dad, or just mom or just dad is much too exhausted, stressed and depleted from working overtime.  Sunday is the only day to catch up on rest, if that. So, why would I want to add one more thing to my calendar?  Another activity, another place to be, another expectation, another claim on my already short-in-supply time (and energy)?  One more person or organization expecting something out of me.  But not only that, there are video games, computers, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Snapchat … and TV choices that would “blow” our grandparent’s mind.  For the most part, church is the last thing, or no-thing, on the list.  

Or, maybe it’s not time and energy that are a concern.  Maybe it is something else … like fear?  The traditional church … and some bad TV theology … can often give one the feeling of being judged.  Unforgiven. Cast aside.  Lost.  Hopeless. Valueless.  Outsider.  Looked down upon.  No grace shown, no grace learned.  Sinful and bad, with no hope for “salvation,” whatever that is.  Hypocrites!  

Given that what once worked is no longer working, dare we?  Dare we ask ourselves what a different kind of faith community might look like? Then, dare we give up our personal power agendas, our preferences, our insistence that everyone acquiesce to our way of doing things, our own fears of “different,” and our status-quo-at-all-costs way of doing things in order to make disciples?  To BE disciples?  To learn, live, and teach the ways of God that Jesus taught?  To “Love one another” as Jesus loves us?  To look within, and beyond, ourselves?  Are we willing and ready to “snap out of it” before our beloved broken, bleeding, and dying church (Christ’s gift to us) takes its last breath?  

If not, then “we regret to inform you that …”

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