Many times over the last few months I have sat in front of my computer screen anxious to express myself. My fingertips grazing over the ebony keys until they find themselves in position to create. Create life, pictures, colors, stories, just the simple unapologetic truth of it all. But every time I set myself to release the swirling tornado inside of my head I found I was unable to find the words to convey my emotions, experiences, opinions, etc… I have made my predictions as to the cause of this perplexing situation I found myself in. I say perplexing because if you know me, you know I am never without words. In fact, many have expressed to me that they could stand to have a few less of my words. Regardless, I came to the conclusion about a month and a half ago that I simply had nothing of value to say, and while that might be true, based on a matter of opinion, I don’t believe it to have been the reason for my long absence from the blogosphere. The truth is I have no answers for you or myself. Laziness, writer’s block, forgetfulness… I suppose these are all to blame one way or another; but nonetheless, I am elated to announce that I am back and ready for the world-wide web of blogging. I still can’t promise that what I have to say will hold value to anyone who reads, but I can promise total honesty and a level of transparency that few of us find in even the closest of friends.
I just came back from a whirlwind vacation that would require a book deal and a bottle of aspirin to get into, even though my time was well spent and in good company. Upon my return, after reconnecting with my family and making a few small adjustmen
ts to my living quarters I sat down to read a good book, “Set-Apart Femininity”. Now at first glance, this book might seem like just another man-hating, civil rights toting, I refuse to shave my underarms feminist guide but, if that is the only assumption your going on I am afraid you’d be mistaken. In fact, it’s quite the middle ground. I say middle ground because it is the not the opposite. In fact, what is the opposite of feminism really? And is the current working definition of feminism the correct one? In my opinion, if we leave the very words that define us up to society our perceptions become a little skewed and misguided. What is true femininity? That question can not be answered in one entry, it would be more like a series. If anyone is interested in reading about it I would be more than happy to delve into for you.
I want to isolate one topic, and that is sacred decorum. Firstly, “Becoming a Christian is a lot more than just saying a sinners’ prayer and gaining the assurance that we’ll go to heaven someday. It is a sacred exchange. It means entering into a holy, eternal covenant with the King of all kings. It’s a giving up of all that we have and all that we are in exchange for all that He has and all that He is. When we invite Christ into our life, we dont’ ‘make room’ for Him amidst our selfishness, sin and worldly pursuit. Rather, by the power of His grace, we are transformed and made completely new–adorned with His spectacular beauty, like the woman in Ezekiel. Our bodies actually become the dwelling place of Almighty God–We house His very Spirit within us. And His temple is not to be defiled.” Now, most of us know this to be a fundamental truth essential to any true walk with Christ, however as Ian Thomas once said, “Carnal Christians profess Christ as their Redeemer, but their actions and decisions are for the sake of their own interests and for who they are in themselves, rather than for God’s interests and for who He is. Their minds are still the workshops of the devil, for he can persuade countless numbers of professing Christians to try to be Christians without Christ.” Sacred decorum is about living a set-apart life, like that of the Nazarite in Numbers 6. The only way to achieve this is to take that which is most radical to us and push that line further, and as we in our journey get closer to that point and that line becomes comfortable we must continue to push the envelope till the way we live our lives in no longer scandalous in light of the Cross, and then further still. In fact, I think words like radical and extreme should be stricken from our vocabulary altogether. For what is it to be radical but to be Christian? Just as brokenness is to be human. These words are synonymous, but still send a terrifying chill through the spine of the Beloved Church. 
I think it’s safe to say in our hot pocket generation that anything worth having requires a cost. Those things that come without sacrifice are fleeting and hold little value in the grand scheme of it all. However, “There are some who would have Christ cheap. They would have Him without the Cross. But the price will not come down” (Samuel Rutherford). However we put it, package it, say it, wrap it with a shiny bow the cost remains the same. I once read that it was our calling to share in the sufferings of Christ. A calling is a sort of defining purpose of your life, a reason for your very creation. This is viewed as a privilege, an honor even. O, to suffer as Christ suffered. But suffering is not all misery and despair. Suffering can be bittersweet. I would even go as far to say that suffering is to our benefit. It removes that which is bad for that which is good, and even the better for the best, and is the way of the great and sacred exchange.
So how do you we live the set-apart life? Forgive me, but there will be no 12 step program here. Nor will there be an answer that satisfies the flesh. If your mind can’t comprehend it, it doesn’t mean it falls into the category of impossible. It means that what the mind can’t comprehend the Spirit understands and gives witness to this absolute. Simply put, we must be perfect, as out Father in heaven is perfect (Matt. 5:48). How is perfection accomplished? “Not by striving or effort, but by the impartation of that which is Perfect” (Oswald Chambers). I think this answer needs no further explanation. Bon Appetit.
Tags: Christianity, IHOP, Jesus, sacred decorum, set-apart femininity
