Turning 'Inverted Christianity' Upside Down

Mark Batterson writes in 'Chase the Goose -- Reclaiming the Adventure of Living a Spirit-led Life': "Many people live an inverted form of Christianity, trying to get God to serve their purposes instead of them trying to serve His purposes. In what ways do you live that way?"

I can count quite a few in myself, yet my heart jumps with agreement, passion and some (hopefully righteous) anger when I read this quote, because I agree so passionately.

I challenge you to self-examination this week with regard to the above statement. I'll do so as I sit here in the mountains of North Carolina, hanging out with Jesus and Judy.

Here's the deal: Those living 'inverted Christianity' are either not saved, or very young in the sanctification process. And you cannot be even that young in the process and not have a urging in your heart, a drawing of the Spirit, a ding-ding-ding going off in the ears of your soul that says, 'There's more than this!'

Yes there is. There's servanthood, and most of us stink at it. If you are going to minister, there is one thing you must acccept promptly and just 'live with': that ministry is inconvenient. YET, anything less is soul-less, passion-less, utterly self-serving.

Reading Yancey's 'The Jesus I Never Knew,' I - like Yancey - was most struck by the story about Henri Nouwen walking away from all the accolades and public focus of his life (Harvard professor and priest) to daily care for a man who could not care for himself. What a waste it seemed, and yet Nouwen was most content and fulfilled at this stage of life.

Batterson goes on to point out how completely upside down God's thinking is compared to ours. And this truth is among the first that must sink into our thick skulls in order for us to 'get it' that we will never chart a successful ministry path for ourselves. We are not here to come up with clever, practical plans for how to help Jesus do His thing, but instead to simply say to Him, 'Whatever you want, I'll do.'

Ask yourself, "What am I doing in 'ministry' that was MY plan?" If you get a clear answer, graciously and in a reasonable length of time (that gives those you minister with time to adjust) step away from it; you are taking up the spot of someone who is called to it! Then, ask our Lord what He truly wants from you. Examine your passions. Consider your spiritual gifts, personality, experience. As well, ask this question, "If money wasn't an object, what one thing would I most passionately want to do to serve Christ?" Seek. Explore. Our walk with Christ is an adventure. Have intimate fellowship with the Spirit until He shows you what He wants from you (read: what He wants to do through you). He loves the adventure, and you will, too.

Then your niche(s) will be deep and will penetrate the dark culture, as opposed to the wide, shallow religious service that makes so little difference because so many un-led, un-regenerate inverted 'Christians' are trying to help out poor little Jesus.

There is a run of mediocrity in ministry today, a run of religiousity in churches, and a run of self-righteousness in preachers and teachers. It makes Jesus sick. I must guard against such rising up in me, and so must we all. We must simply serve. Jesus is to the servant because He was a servant.

Let's serve. Let's live in power.

Ranting for Jesus from high atop Utah Mountain-Victor