Today I had to make that dreaded unavoidable visit to a dressing room of a clothing store. Those little cubicles are the least flattering place on earth. What’s up with all the lights and mirrors? Do I really want to see that part of my body that I forgot existed? I bet they will make tons of more money if they soften the lights a bit, give the mirrors a slight tint and play some soothing music to prepare you for the disappointment in the pants you thought were just the right size, but did not even make it past your chubby knees.
Some religious places are like that. Eyes on you like florescent lights and a theology that mirrors all your faults.
What we need instead are sacred spaces filled with a gentle kindness that highlights our beauty instead of our flaws.
Through the centuries the followers of Jesus called this “Grace”.
But somewhere down the line Modern Christianity redecorated the Grace-space of Jesus. We replaced the candle lights with spot lights and instead of faded reflections we opted for religious x-rays.
No wonder so many people have the feeling that when it comes to church, they just don’t fit in.
Showing posts with label Church. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Church. Show all posts
Thursday, 02 July 2009
Saturday, 16 May 2009
Day 11
Still busy with the “throwing out” theme. Where do I start? What will the label on the first box of Christian kitsch be? How about “Guilt”?
Through the centuries the church perfected the art to turn guilt into faith, service, prayer and tithes. I used to feel guilty about almost every “do” and don’t” that I learnt in church. I should pray more, confess more, listen more, believe more and especially tithe more. I should sin less, doubt less and enjoy less.
Usually to great effect, guilt got me to do all those things.
Except love.
Love and guilt don’t sit around the same table. You cannot love out of a feeling of ought to or ought not to.
Out of guilt we can build houses, move mountains, feed thousands and pray like angels, but still it will amount to nothing.
Because love and guilt just don’t gel.
So I am wrapping up everything I have ever done, because I thought that that is what God expects from me. The list is long. It includes some big names such as The Bible, Prayer, Faith, Charity and Church.
No obligation, no expectation, just pure, honest, broken, vulnerable love.
“A box full of guilt”, sounds like something I should’ve chucked out a long time ago.
But here goes nothing...
Through the centuries the church perfected the art to turn guilt into faith, service, prayer and tithes. I used to feel guilty about almost every “do” and don’t” that I learnt in church. I should pray more, confess more, listen more, believe more and especially tithe more. I should sin less, doubt less and enjoy less.
Usually to great effect, guilt got me to do all those things.
Except love.
Love and guilt don’t sit around the same table. You cannot love out of a feeling of ought to or ought not to.
Out of guilt we can build houses, move mountains, feed thousands and pray like angels, but still it will amount to nothing.
Because love and guilt just don’t gel.
So I am wrapping up everything I have ever done, because I thought that that is what God expects from me. The list is long. It includes some big names such as The Bible, Prayer, Faith, Charity and Church.
No obligation, no expectation, just pure, honest, broken, vulnerable love.
“A box full of guilt”, sounds like something I should’ve chucked out a long time ago.
But here goes nothing...
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