Lent: day 36 devotion

What are you noticing about yourself and your spirituality as Lent comes to an end?

I’ve noticed . . .

I have a lot of work to do on myself and my discipleship as a follower of Jesus.

I’m not as fragile as the Christianity or Christian ministry to which I am ordained, but I’m not as tough in faith as some of my colleagues in the trenches of congregational life.

The metanarrative of my belief in God remains more a gracious orthopraxy than a gracious orthodoxy. These words from Hospitaller in the film, “Kingdom of Heaven” help me recalibrate my compass.

I put no stock in religion. By the word religion I have seen the lunacy of fanatics of every denomination be called the will of God. Holiness is in right action and courage on behalf of those who cannot defend themselves, and goodness. What God desires is here [points to head] and here [points to heart] and what you decide to do every day, you will be a good man – or not.
Ridley Scott, William Monahan. “Kingdom of Heaven” (Twentieth Century Fox) 2005.

There remains a uniqueness to my denominational brand of Christian witness, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), and it’s ethos about a life of Christian faith that is best distilled in the words of Ronald E. Osborn.

What do we mean by the Disciples mind? It is a way of approaching the Scriptures with a reverent intelligence. This style of professing Christian faith has accepted the reproach of advocating a “head religion” hurled by those who profess a “heart religion.” Emphasizing faith with understanding, the Disciples mind puts the highest premium on rationality and faithfulness in action.
Ronald E. Osborn, “The Disciples Mind.” Chalice Hymnal (St. Louis: Chalice Press, 1996), 553.

I’ve noticed that Carrie Newcomer reminds me that in pandemic time, restructure, and especially when shaking off being comfortably numb, “You Can Do This Hard Thing.”