Why I follow who I follow

Today in the sweltering heat of Lagos, I walked the Stations of The Cross from our local church, The Church of Assumption. It is not the first time in my life I have done a Stations walk, but there was something different in it today. Perhaps it was due to the fact that traffic around Falomo Bridge and Awolowo Road came to a standstill to make way for the hundreds of us who had gathered to process, perhaps because my foolhardy choice of footwear added an extra element of ‘trial’ to the experience, or maybe because this is the first Lent that I have consciously decided to blog as I fast (harder than one thinks, trust me), but if felt more potent.

The Stations of the Cross are pretty ubiquitous. Go into most old church buildings anywhere in the world, and there they are: either carved in stone, painted or in fresco. Jesus condemned, scourged, given a cross on his back, helped by Simon the Cyrene, falling not once but thrice, his bloody face mopped by Veronica, nailed to a cross, dead and then buried. Pictured on their own, they are a sad and pitiful sight. In fact without the knowledge of what is to come; his final words, ‘It is finished” sound like the worst sort of defeat. No chance of a re=match, or an extension of time so that the scared and long gone disciples could mobilise troops and fight back in Jerusalem.  The battle was concluded.

I am often asked why it is I choose Jesus over the pantheon of other belief systems out there. Why this man, who in today’s lectionary reading from Isaiah 52:13 – 53:12, is described as unremarkable looking, full of sorrows and despised and rejected? I choose Jesus every time because of what he did rather than who he was:

“But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities, the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.” Isaiah 53:4

It takes a lot to take a hit for one person, much more to take it for the whole of humankind as Jesus did. As we processed, we were reminded of the humanity of Jesus. Though wholly divine, he still bled, stumbled and struggled to carry the cross, felt the isolation of his friends deserting him, chose silence in front of Pilate rather than robust defence. He bore it all, excruciating death to boot, for us. In this verse we are told he was pierced for every sin that we have done and will likely do. He was crushed in body so that our wrong intentions, actions,  complaints and excuses won’t come back and bite us. The serenity that we oftentimes seek in external sources comes from him alone and that inner healing we all yearn from comes via each open wound mark. In the violent violation of his body comes eternal fulfilment for us all.

I choose to follow Jesus not only because he died for me, but also because he opens a door for possibility, He would have died if it was just for the one person, much less all of us. He could have chosen to show his glory with a SWAT team of Angels, but that wasn’t the point. Those of us who choose to believe, and it is a choice, because the God we serve is neither a bully or boaster, do so because of the nature of Jesus. He is Divine but he is Love Incarnate, He is the suffering servant, choosing to assist, when he could have so easily let the cup pass him. Opting for obedience rather than defiance and right to his last breath showing compassion and understanding, even to the thief crucified beside him. Following him though challenging is all too beguiling, and I challenge anyone to read the four Gospels and not fall in love a teeny tiny bit with his character and nature.

Although Good Friday is a time of gratitude as we remember the cross. It is also a challenging time as we are reminded of our duty to serve, to bear our own crosses with grace and be certain that our Loving Saviour will assist when it all gets too much. It is a time to do our small sacrifices and to do them with cheer. Many joined in fasting today, some abstained from meat (I enjoyed a sublime red snapper that I cooked ), but Good Friday is so much more than these traditional observances. It is humanity’s  road to freedom; a life where we are reminded that if God could love us so much then we should love ourselves too and with that deposit of love working in us, love those around us and bring heaven on earth. The workers may be few, and the days might be flipping evil but in him and with him and through him all things are possible and all circumstances turn out for good. 

The Love Embassy

This week has been one where the Lenten Lectionary readings have left me thinking about Church Life. Does it feed, inspire heal and console? Or does it judge, accuse, condemn and cast out? A few weeks back I blogged about Church cliques and how many newcomers are discouraged not so much by the message in the bible, but by the reception they receive from members of the congregation. Today, however, my focus is on leadership: how far is it okay for cultural relativism  to be the main reason things are done the way they are in church, rather than what is written in the bible? I begin my post with some encouraging words from one of this week’s readings, from 2 Corinthians 5:16-21:

 “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who has no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” 2 Corinthians 5:20-21

If we are Christ’s Ambassadors, and God is Love incarnate, then our churches are Love Embassies. Places where people grow in Love and Understanding, until their visa comes through for the greatest destination of all, Heaven.  In light of this what is with the judgment and worse, the fear of punitive measures if you don’t toe the party line in most churches here, and I speak as one who has had the pleasure of attending Anglican (my tradition), Catholic (my husband’s) and Pentecostal (followed many who are dear to me) churches. Like anywhere one adjusts; one of the lovely things about living in many parts of Africa is that being a believer isn’t as ‘fringe’ an activity as it is in the West. I quite like that people entreaty the Lord even in general conversation. It points at a faith that is alive, that doesn’t just exist for Sunday.

However, at odds with this are the rules and regulations that govern church life.  The policing can be severe: alongside the times of worship on one church’s noticeboard was the rather ominous “Women wearing lipstick cannot take Communion.” Why? Where is the sin in beautification? Yes, we all know Jezebel had a penchant for mascara, but does that make every female that swears by a double swipe of Maybelline and some tinted Lancôme lip-gloss in possession of a Jezebel Spirit and forbidden from participating in the Eucharist?

Condemnation seems to be the main currency in many of these churches: attached to this post is a genuine notices section taken from a leading church in Lagos. No, I won’t name and shame but reading the section on bridal dressing and tithes made me feel that we Christians have got our priorities so mixed up on what is really important and what it is to be an ambassador of Christ. Exactly what is meant by a dress covering ‘all of the body’?  What if the blushing bride still has a figure worthy of a Victoria’s Secret’s Angel, covered frock or not, do we send her away for being a little too smoking hot? My challenge to all of those who accuse people of immodest dressing is where is YOUR mind? It is the gaze rather than the gazed that is sexualised, and it brings to mind Jesus’ entreaty to focus on the plank of wood in our own eyes before we attend to the sawdust in our Christian brothers or sisters (Matthew 7:4-5).  Furthermore, a sense of shame is what will often drive people into having an inauthentic spiritual life, more focused on pleasing the cultural norms than connecting with the risen Lord.

Fear is so at odds with a life in Christ. By this I am not referring to the fear of the Lord, which echoes reverence and total acceptance of God’s authority. I am talking of the fear associated with shame and self-loathing and doubt that God might not love us as much as he does. I was flabbergasted to read tithing being correlated to unanswered prayer; with everything from delay in getting pregnant or getting a job promotion being down to a lack of commitment on the believers part. How can the size of your offering be compared to one’s level of piety?  Or regular giving be the reason that cancer and sickness have not visited your household? It’s sacrilegious to make such claims, but there they are, in black and white. We serve a God who wants to give all his children, rich and poor, good gifts. Sadly, in the case of this church, it seems the size of the church’s coffers were what was of most import, otherwise why the sentences that are at odds with the foundation of all our faith, so beautifully expounded by St Paul? Reconciliation with God comes from the Cross and the Cross alone. Blessings in their many forms, abundance, joy and laughter, all of them come from Jesus.  They are not contingent upon arbitrary rules made up by leaders in the church, most of which are rooted in social control than the freedom found in God’s love.

As a fellow Christo, I pray that things really begin to change. I cannot imagine a deep, rich and honest faith walk developing with so many rules that stifle honesty,  expression, discourse, creativity, a ‘com- as-you-are’ message  and most important of all love. Let’s all do our part to sort out the Love Embassies, whatever denomination we attend. After all, there are so many people out there in need of a Divine visa.

So, what exactly is the point?

Social gatherings always seem to bring out all sorts of odd but familiar human behaviour. From the guest who stands close to the food and drink station, hoovering up as much as they can before others have had a chance,  to the clichéd small-talk questions that are all about figuring out your importance, relevance and proximity to the host: “What do you do?”, “Where do you live?” and  “How do you know X?”

On one level one could argue that such questions have an important role to play; they are about discovering common ground, finding topics to talk about further,  even potentially cementing future friendships and indeed that might be the case. But all too often they are about assessment and judgment, the two forces that reign in our modern world we live in. I laughed inwardly when for a joke, I declared myself unemployed and living in penury in a very bad neighbourhood at a terribly posh event only to see one guest gasp audibly and another excuse themselves from our group never to return again! But the responses speak much to what our true concerns are, what we put the most importance and trust in and on a deeper level what motivates us to do what we do in our lives.

This week’s Lectionary for Lent, features a passage from Isaiah that is at odds with much of what preoccupies us today:

“Come, all of you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labour on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare.” Isaiah 55:1-2

The invitation to be in Christ is the best one we all get. We are called to come not once or twice but four times in these two verses alone. The call is plaintive, God knows that his people are thirsty, he knows that they are poor too; not necessarily because their finances are shredded to pieces due to spend-a-thons of a gargantuan scale, but they are poor in spirit, as it him alone that can satisfy the depths of us. The invitation is open, God does not force anyone to follow him, but he does implore that we listen, but what an invitation, the choicest and in ancient times when Isaiah was written, the most costly items   - wine and milk – are available at no cost at all and the richest of fares are promised if we choose to consume what is good and in him.

Also of note is the question at the centre of the verse: “Why spend money on what is not bread, and labour on what does not satisfy.” This particular sentence is a tough one for those of us who have worked diligently to get to a certain point in life.  Yes, it is fantastic to be able to enjoy life’s luxuries, to dispense generosity of a mammoth scale on those we love and to be acknowledged for our hard won achievements. But none of it truly satisfies. The money we have in our life be it the physical kind that we store in banks is finite.  Toiling in the earthly realm is not the point of our lives at all. It is essentially a zero sum game. There will always be someone who will surpass what you have achieved, and those moments that are great? By their very nature they are fleeting and will fade into the horizon of memory faster than you may think.

What all of us believers should consider, is that Jesus, our Lord and saviour laboured in his ministry and on the Cross so that we  could all eat and drink our spiritual fill. Our spiritual fill is infinitely more important than what is happening today because by its very nature it is BEYOND today. It is forever, and it is freely given, our own part is to merely agree to participate.

As I write this, slightly peckish (fasting does not come naturally to me!), I am comforted that in spite of all of my earthly wants and desires the pivotal point of my life is to Come to Christ (which I have done already – hurrah!), Listen to him (which I am definitely still a work in progress), and labour as he did, thinking not of what I will receive today, but what is in store in heaven. 

Sticking Through It

Week two of Lent has been a stresser;  so much so that this post almost didn’t happen at all. Between the minor (the Gunners losing to Barcelona in the first leg of their UEFA Cup tie) to the major, continued injustices and casual cruelties that I witness going unpunished, the lazy folk  getting rewarded and the fact that many seem to believe kind is a synonym for doormat and behave accordingly. I have been left wondering maybe quit the whole fasting thing and order myself a double tier cake. Prayer, fasting and contemplation seem to be a long arduous road, punctuated by hunger, seeming silence from the heavens and no definitive answers.

To the Lectionary I went seeking hope in a verse or three. As I said in my previous post, I am doing Lent the old school way and meditating on the set readings provided. The passages from Luke and Philippians could have been customised for the week I had as both focused on the deeper question of how to maintain hope, confidence most of all faith in situations that seemed terminal.

In Luke9:28-42 we read about the Transfiguration. Peter’s response, wonder, fear and the random suggestion of building dwellings for Jesus, Moses and Elijah is typical of the confused believer. Far easier to babble and make suggestions that seem useful than focus on what is truly at hand.

‘A voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.” ‘ Luke 9:35

Critical to any believer is steadfast following of Jesus. Everything else is secondary, even if a prophet and the receiver of the 10 Commandments rocks up, nothing , but nothing tops following Jesus. Instead of letting all the irritating aspects of the week get to me, or wondering what I should be doing next to get to the next Spiritual milestone, all I had to do was keep listening to my Lord and Saviour. No one and nothing is above or beyond him.

In Philippians, Paul reminds us where our true confidence, identity and belonging should stem from:

“Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Saviour from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.” Philippians 3:19-20

Concerning myself with the four letter words that sprinkle every society and the other wrongs that happen ad-infinitum is  distracting. Even when there are gross injustices, it is not for me to judge, comment or get myself in a tizz about. As all those who choose that direction have already received their reward in the earthly realm and that is precisely where it will stay. For me to froth and fret about things not being righted is to be as in the flesh and concerned with the temporary as those short-cut crew members. Although we occupy this world, as believers this world is not our final destination or indeed the place our spirit really wants to reside. Our home is in heaven, where our Lord and Saviour reigns eternal. As we look forward to the Easter story with the resurrection and indeed to his earthly return, one is best to participate as cheerfully and positively as possible, so that he too will be well pleased with me. 

Tempting Times: The Lent Series

The year seems to be galloping at an alarming pace. I have barely blinked and Lent crept up on me, thief in the night styles. Luckily, as a Christo, I was aware when it was beginning – last week’s Mardi Gras worthy chow-down was testament to the fact, but I also felt that my Lenten routine of prayer and fasting needed a bit of an update. I was aware it had become a bit routine, and there is nothing that spells spiritual downturn, quite like routine-rut, as you rock up, do everything on rote, and wonder why the deep connection with your Lord and Saviour is somewhat lacking.

In the spirit (no pun intended!), of mixing it up, I decided to go super-old school and embark upon using a lectionary during Lent. Lectionaries are literally a stipulated bible reading guide that correlates with the traditional Christian calendar. This being Lent, the passages for the next 6 weeks or so are meant to get believers in the zone for Easter; a time when Jesus paid the ultimate price – his life – to save us all – and here’s the good news bit, rose on the Sunday, showing he was the gateway to life eternal.

Yesterday’s Lectionary reading from Luke’s gospel still lingers, probably because I type this in my lunch break, completely desperate to nibble on something, anything, but knowing that breaking fast is a good 4 hours away. In the passage (Luke 4:1-13), the Devil tries to tempt Jesus, who has gone alone in the wilderness, to fast, pray and prepare for the most pivotal part of his life – his ministry, death and ultimate resurrection. Seeing that he is starving, the Devil tried to convince Jesus to turn a stone into bread, Jesus replies: 

“It is written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.’” Luke 4:4

Next, he gives Jesus the option of being ruler of the world, an earthly ruler without compare, with all the wealth, glory and admiration that would go with it. Jesus response.

“It is written, ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’” Luke 4:8

And then finally, a celestial dare – that Jesus should throw himself of a high place, and wait for the Angels and Archangels to catch him before he falls. Jesus’ riposte:

“It is said: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” Luke 4:12

The common thread that Jesus used in coping with the temptations was to refer right back to scripture, and really, we should follow suit. Don’t even bother with self-analysis, or a quick power text to loved ones who might be going through their own stuff. All one needs, when the temptations gets too much is a spot of bible reading to help focus on what is not only going on, but what is at stake. ‘It is written’ and ‘It is said’ become in this passage, a call to arms against the Devil’s attempts to distract him and confuse Jesus in his primary objective, which was drawing away from the everyday to prepare for his greater, life’s mission. 

I reflect on my own spiritual journey, punctuated with periods when one was desperate for a quick fix, such as hunger be it for food or God, to other times, when patience and rage got the better of me as I sought for my goals to be achieved and I got bogged down and disheartened by the seeming lack of progress or the expected accolades for efforts made. Especially when others, maybe even Team Red propelled, positively flourished and were admired by all around. And then I considered, the putting God to the test bit; at first I thought I had never been guilty of that – I don’t have a thing for high-risk activity  - in fact I actively avoid it. But considered differently, I realized that every procrastination, excuse however substantial and ‘what’s the point’ shrug, I had ever done, was putting the Lord to the test. It was assuming you would be around for another day, week, year, decade or five, to squeeze in all the things that you know you should be doing. Call it the God given commissions, the gifts that aren’t meant to be best kept secrets – but light on a stand generation changing ones. And I realized there really was no time to waste at all. So here’s to Lent: a period of preparation for the greater things to come. 

Manifesting the Magnificent

A week in is usually a good time to check in on the bold resolutions made as the clock struck 12 to mark the arrival of 2016. Still in the zone or have some proved too difficult to stay true to? I can speak personally, that one particular resolution I made has proven to be a complete and utter nightmare to keep, even as I type. Experts say 21 days is the magic number to make or break a habit, so let’s just say I look forward to the 22 January with interest! 

At the heart of resolutions, be they in the New Year, Birthday or any significant milestone, is the idea of manifesting something new and improved. Whether its rock hard abs or a bank balance that is not in deficit, conscientious efforts are meant to result in a tangible result being met. However, one manifestation that even the Christo crew among us might have missed is Epiphany, the day that both closes the 12 days of Christmas that commence on Christmas Eve, but more significantly, commemorates the arrival of the Magi to see the Jesus or as the Ancient Greek Epiphaneia suggests, to manifest or show forth.

The Magi only appear in Matthew’s gospel. I am always curious when one particular story relating to Jesus is recounted in only one of the four gospels, and in the case of the Magi becomes so huge that it spawns a whole host of ‘myths’. From stating that they were kings (they were not) to insisting they were three of them (the gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh might have numbered three, but the assumption that one each was given is ours and not in the text) and finally, according to any nativity tableau, that they arrived on the same night as the shepherds (completely wrong, the shepherds beat them to it). Why are the Magi so important? The clue is in the statement they make when presented at King Herod’s court:

“Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.” Matthew2:2

The foreignness of the Magi is key to the story. It indicates the fact that Jesus came for everybody, and right from the beginning, people were aware of it. He might have been born King of the Jews and part of the Davidic line, but everyone, as the verse indicates can recognize his kingship and more importantly worship him. The inclusiveness of Jesus is further emphasized in the fact that his natal star could be seen far and wide. Like a constellation that can be viewed in the night sky in the southern or northern hemisphere, Jesus’ presence and impact can be experienced and seen by all, wherever they are. As God made flesh he came to save the whole of humanity, even if as a human being, he had to arrive nominally belonging to one group of people.

So, today, in our present day situations, filled to the brim with goals that we spend our time and resources working towards; how frequently do we tap into the power of serving a God who made himself manifest in the world? Do we put all of our hopes, dreams and intentions under his authority, an authority that defeated death itself and came that we may have access to his love and peace and joy? Indeed why should God choose such an inauspicious way to make himself known to humanity? The clue lies in the fact that he chose to arrive as a baby. It is very hard not to instinctively love and want to care for a baby, and scientific studies have shown that as a species we are hardwired to respond to babies’ tears and smiles. It is the innate love energy that is part of all of us. God manifest is Love manifest and as St Paul so evocatively wrote in his letters to the Corinthians, Love is the most excellent way.

If we want this year to be the breakthrough, blessings filled, goals met extravaganza that it can be for all of us, there is no better way than to tap into the reality of the Lord we serve. Jesus doesn’t just want to answer our prayers or assist us in our tasks or cheer us in our efforts. He wants to imbue every aspect of our lives with his grace. He wants his presence to be very obvious so that we might be witness to those around us. More importantly he wants to manifest gloriously and brightly in our lives in every way, and it doesn’t get more magnificent than that.