Traveling light.

Traveling light.

I moved today and I am amazed at how much stuff I have. It brought to mind the utter difference between the faith of the disciples and my own faith. I am attached to my things in a way that interferes with God’s will in my life. I get attached to stuff in a strangely intimate way.

I drag a British officer’s campaign desk up and down the Eastern Seaboard because I imagine myself writing my first bestseller on it. I have a red Western shirt I got in the Barney’s warehouse sale that looks good on me man! I’m not giving that up. It means something to me, I will probably be wearing it when I meet the woman of my dreams. Right?

How much of my own self gets tied up in stuff? How much of me gets caught up in gunning for the corner office, upgrading to a West Village garden apartment, or flashing an I-Phone? How much is left over to dedicate to God’s will? How many times have you heard (or said) something like this, “I’d love to do mission work, but I gotta work two jobs to make the mortgage and pay down the plastic…”

Then Jesus called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal. He said to them, "Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money-- not even an extra tunic. Whatever house you enter, stay there, and leave from there. Wherever they do not welcome you, as you are leaving that town shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them." They departed and went through the villages, bringing the good news and curing diseases everywhere. (Luke 9:1-6)

It is challenging to be faithful in our culture of materialism and the currency based economy. Satisfaction comes not so much in our work, but in the purchasing of products. Buy! Buy! Buy! Feel good about yourself, buy American.

The faith that Jesus taught his followers was in many ways a radical departure from the co-opted faith of the religious leaders of his day. But it was at the same time so deeply true to the tradition as he understood it. It was radical faith. We don’t have the honor/shame system in place quite as strongly as the scholars tell us it was in Galilee 2000 years ago. But we do have our own system to push us to be good consumers and good workers.

How can we become part of that heavenly system which encourages us to be good believers and builders of the kingdom? How do we become the Body of Christ? It seems that faith in God which rejects the decadence of our consumer culture is once again an act of rebellion. Not the faith that tells us how to vote, and who to fight wars with (I mean come on who really falls for that crap?). I am talking of the faith which sends us out with nothing - to win everything - for a God we cannot see - but believe in with all we have.

Go out! Go in faith! Leave your stuff at home. Depend radically upon God and your neighbor. Bring healing and good news!

O.K. But can I keep the shirt?