Read the first three chapters of the book and let these questions guide your thoughts. Post your responses on this blog!
1) How does this change the way you view yourself?
2) How does this change the way you view God?
3) How does this impact the way you approach Life Groups?
4 comments:
Don’t be afraid to be messy. Don’t be afraid to be real. Don’t be afraid to let it all hang out. These themes are definitely easier said than done. When an individual starts to do those things life is no longer a perfect picture. Yaconelli stated, “When we are real, our messiness is there for everyone to see” (38). Our messiness is a picture with colors all intertwined and brush strokes everywhere. The picture shifts from a masterpiece to a work in progress, coming together piece by piece.
For me, I am not afraid to be messy or real. I just hold back on putting it out all there, especially when asked questions regarding how I’m doing. I believe there is always someone in a more difficult situation, so I answer with a good or okay. I don’t think that’s bad, but I understand his point about when we stop painting a picture perfect masterpiece so will others (38). I am going to try my hardest to implement this idea of being a work in progress that can be tangibly seen and heard. The first step will be truthfully answering questions regarding how I’m doing.
Once the pretending is gone, truth steps out. The picture begins to take shape because each color, each stroke of the brush “is the workshop of authentic spirituality” (25). This is where I need to be with myself, others, and God. Yaconelli also stated, “Jesus cares more about desire than about competence” (44). Jesus wants us to not be afraid. He wants us to be real. Jesus wants us to put it all out there. He wants the picture that is a work in progress because its story is far greater. If we do this with our life groups, I believe we see great things begin to happen.
Great comments Marci! Thanks for being the first to post. Being real and transparent is one of the most difficult things to do, especially in a group setting. I think it's critical for us as facilitators to set the bar for transparency. If the group sees us as being "surfacey" and "fake" then they will be inclined to do the same. But if we will reveal our "messiness" to them, then they will begin to do the same.
The good thing about that is obviously the healing that will come from it. We don't want our messiness to not be cleaned up. It's good for us to recognize our messiness, and recognize our desperate need for Jesus in the midst of that messiness, but also for us not to be content with living in our sins and struggles forever.
What do we fear about "putting it all out there" as Marci put it? Why does that scare us?
First to answer Petie, I'm not personally fearful of putting it out there. I'll tell you more than you want to hear. More so it's not always having the best avenues to put it out there. When the Safeway clerk asks how I'm doing, I'm not going to unload on her. It requires the right timing, audience & relationship to share. I think life requires a bit of pretending to make it through the day. Not pretending in a way to appear better than others, simply keeping some things to yourself that are better discussed elsewhere. Maybe it's not pretending as much as just using discretion.
To begin my book observations, I don’t like the term “spirituality.” In my mind, that conjures up either new-age spiritualism or “holier-than-thou” people. I don’t want to be spiritual; I want to be like Jesus. So I’m going to operate on the belief that Yaconelli equates spirituality with the goal of being Christ-like.
I was immediately drawn in to the book on the first page where the author described his & my spiritual journey to date as, “a broken, irregular path littered with mistakes and failures.” All the while, however, wanting desperately to know God better, be a more godly person and dwell in the continued presence of Jesus. While it was encouraging to read another’s struggle so similar to mine, it was also a bit disappointing that a 60-year-old pastor still battled with the same things. So am I destined for a life of spiritual inconsistency & frustration? Let’s hope Yaconelli is right when he emphasizes, “Jesus cares more about desire than about competence.”
Throughout the first three chapters, the author describes spiritual people as unfinished, unfixed, unknowing and authentic. Well fabulous then, I’m there! And actually, I think that’s the point – you don’t need to be the total package to be spiritual. You need to continue wanting and working toward finishing your race, allowing Jesus to be present in your unfixedness and continue learning more about the man you long to imitate. And while you’re on this journey, no pretending that you’ve already arrived. I love the fact that Jesus isn’t waiting for us to get it together before He wants to hang out; it’s actually quite a relief to acknowledge that.
How does this impact me & my Life Group? Well,I wear the t-shirt of arrogance that often prevents me from loving others as God does. So rather than just focusing on learning more about Jesus (becoming more scholarly spiritual), I need to ACT more like Jesus (being more Christ-like spiritual). I appreciated the stories the author told that illustrated genuine Christian behavior (like drinking wine - I think there's a message there!) It was more about showing love, compassion, acceptance and grace, than showing you know more than someone else.
Catie, I love your comparison between being "Scholarly Spiritual" and "Christ-Like Spiritual". That's the pit that any Christian can fall in. I see so many people treating Scholarly Spiritual as the end all-be all. The Bible clearly says that Knowledge "Puffs up", and make us arrogant, prideful, and "holier-than-thou". Good call.
I also laughed a great deal about "spirituality" sounding like crazy new age peep's. haha! Come on, don't you love Tom Cruise and El Ron Hubbard...Scientology...come on.....it'll make you feel better! haha
What else? Come on facilitators, let's hear it!
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