I make people angry. I can’t help myself. It’s a gift. I think I know what it is. I’m convinced that we cannot change by increments. I mean the change that matters. Personally and corporately. If anyone is in Christ, behold, there is a new creation! Resurrection doesn’t happen gradually. We need radical transformation. I’ve kept a journal for over 20 years. I read entries from years ago, and guess what… I’m the same me. And it’s not for a lack of trying! My journals are full of effort, willpower and passion. But I had it all wrong. These human qualities are useless to save us. We’re not asked to tweak, adjust, reorganize, renovate or reform, which we excel in. We’re to be transformed. We’re to be raised by resurrection power. When Jesus raised Lazarus, he didn’t warn everyone to give the guy some time to perpetually compose himself and freshen up. He said, “Unwrap him and set him free!” Bingo! I think that’s what we need.
What this means for the church is too scary for us to consider, and this is what makes people angry. I believe we need to be totally re-created. Which means I believe demolition is necessary first. If we need resurrection, then first we must die. But no, we all want to hold on to what we have, or at least the good parts, and carry them with us beyond our fake funeral to our lovely new life. No deal! And the church insists on continuing this burnt-out strategy of reformation. Our number one fixation is with survival because our number one obsession is death. The church included! We get angry because we are required to die before we live. We’ll have none of it.
Yup. This is what my blog is about, and this is what my ministry is about. And I get people angry online and off. But, like I said, it’s my gift. If only people would realize something crucial about what I say: I’m about life… new life, resurrection life, abundant life. But all most people hear is, “You gotta die first!” and it ticks them off.
The fine art photograph is the creation of my friend Mark Hemmings. She looks a little angry, but she’s pretty at it.
Contributions to nakedpastor are greatly appreciated.
Years ago, in 1991, I read a short but powerful book by Krishnamurti. It’s a book I visit at least once a year. When I read these lines, I wrote them down in my journal and commented on them. Here’s his quote and my response:
“Only the deep, constant demand of the brain for the physical security of the organism is inherent. Symbols are a device of the brain to protect the psyche; this is the whole process of thought. The ‘me’ is a symbol, not an actuality. Having created the symbol of the ‘me’, thought identifies itself with its conclusion, with the formula, and then defends it: all misery and sorrow come from this.â€
Here’s what I wrote in response to this quote:
I wrote the above entry and felt fear. The horror of realizing that all thought is the attempt of the brain to protect itself psychologically and to perpetuate the ego! I realized that it is this that must die. This fear is a lack of courage to do it. It prevents me from seeing the whole truth of it, because the seeing would be the dying. I’m afraid of ending, or becoming insane. I’m afraid of dying. The doctrine of the resurrection teaches that there is nothing permanent in man. When I die, I die altogether! Nothing lingers. Resurrection means complete mercy for something completely dead. I contain nothing ‘immortal’. No infinite soul.
I still hold this to be profoundly true. And it necessarily must affect all that I am and do. I perceive that almost all of our efforts, personal and religious, are to avoid death. This must end!
The fine art photograph is the creation of my friend Jorgen Klausen.
Contributions to nakedpastor are greatly appreciated.
David Hayward is a pastor artistically stripping to the essential.
