I had coffee for the last time with this younger sister in Christ (continuing a tradition that she had with the chaplain before me). She was sheltered growing up and is sweet, servant-hearted, and guileless. Before she came out here, one of her co-workers thought that she would not be able to cut it because of her naivete (in other words, her sheltered life experience).
But there is a difference between experiential naivete and theological naivete. One can be corrected through simple life experiences; the other only through radical heart change. This gal was certainly experientially naive, but she grasps the workings of the world. She understands that this world was originally created in perfect order and goodness and that its current disfigurement is due to rebellion launched by man against God. The Bible breeds a brutal realism toward a broken world.
So as this gal pranced around each day, ducking and weaving through bunkers and alleyways and smiling at passersby, she did with full knowledge of reality, not in spite of that. To the untrained eye, she is totally unaware of the broken world around her. To the spiritual eye, she is fully aware of the broken world around, but just as aware of the conquering, redemptive purposes of Christ the King.
The cynics must learn that joy does not preclude reality--it encompasses it in the greater glory of God.
This gal will return home to Virginia soon, and plans on making a stop by my home church in late September. For those of you there, please be ready to welcome her!
As today tends to be my "LBR" (low battle rhythm) day, I enjoyed my work and life at a slower pace (aside from the craziness of preaching and leading a chapel service!). Chapel went well, and by God's grace, the number of attendees have been growing.
Aside from coffee with this sister in Christ, I also enjoyed an hour long discussion with a soldier about the beauties of God's grace in its unadulterated form! It's a tough message to swallow, but once ingested, the reality that "nothing in my hand I bring, simply to the cross I cling" brings delight.
And I had another of those mealtime discussions with an eclectic gathering of people. This time, it included my Lutheran friend, my African-American friend from the south who recently decided to work toward becoming an Army chaplain, my female friend from Africa, and my activist friend with whom I enjoy all of the great marriage debates.
Today, we talked about the distinctive roles of the church and the state. One proclaims the Gospel and its governing ethic is mercy. The other promotes and maintains an ethic of justice. We also talked why civil rights and social and political acceptance are neither the means to happiness nor the most important goal to pursue. We often find happier people in the repressive countries than free.
Ultimately, the fundamental need that stands over and above Mazlow's hierarchy of needs is the need to be accepted by and reconciled to God. If He is offended by you, then you're damned. And in the Hell-bound life, there will be no undergirding peace or overaching joy. Just the slow, distracted, futile, meaningless shuffle to death. But if God has provided a remedy for your offensive nature, then there is hope. And identifying that hope and spotlighting it for the world is the goal of the church.
