Blog

To Give Up or Add

February 18, 2010 | By: jennifer

 

The last time I wrote a blog entry, I mentioned my Bible study’s “24-Hour Sabbath Challenge,” where we all decided to give up something in order to gain spiritual insight. We asked each other, “Can we try something sacrificial for one day and see how it feels, see if we can use the time we have momentarily gained to connect with God?” Well, I both succeeded and I failed. I was successfully able to avoid going on Facebook for three days – no checking my friends’ posts, no finding myself comparing my life to someone else’s, no becoming a “fan” of this or that, no friendly cyber banter. And I really didn’t miss it. Yet, was it productive – spiritually productive – if I still didn’t use the time I spend on Facebook (about ten minutes a day) to talk to God, listen, meditate, read the Scriptures? What, then, was the point of my mini Sabbath?

Yesterday was Ash Wednesday, a day of reflection and repentance as we start the slow, mindful walk towards Easter. When I first became a Christian seven years ago, I started exploring different things I could “give up for Jesus” in honor of His sacrifice for me. I tried giving up chocolate, pop, complaining, listening to the radio in my car; all were good practices of denying something minimal. But what did I – or more importantly my relationship with Jesus – gain?

C.S. Lewis, the great English professor, writer, and theologian, was once asked, “What is your view of the daily discipline of the Christian life - the need for taking time to be alone with God?” He responded, "We have our New Testament regimental orders upon the subject. I would take it for granted that everyone who becomes a Christian would undertake this practice. It is enjoined upon us by Our Lord; and since they are His commands, I believe in following them. It is always just possible that Jesus Christ meant what he said when He told us to seek the secret place and to close the door."

According to The Table's Discipleship Map, I am in a period of “resting.” I’m not always thrilled about reading the Bible and I am finding it difficult to pray. And yet I believe and I want to move past resting into a new phase. So instead of giving up something for Lent, I am going to read the Bible. Just a little bit. Everyday. Because I am a Christian.

Jennifer Johnson serves as Publications Coordinator at CPC and is part of the Table Team

 

A Mephibosheth Moment

February 5, 2010 | By: The Table

 

I was reading about Mephibosheth this morning. Weird name, neat story. Mephibosheth was Saul’s crippled, forgotten son. After David took the throne, he found Mephibosheth and gave him a place at his royal table (2 Samuel 9:8-13 - The Message). Two characters in this story caught my attention – the outcast Mephibosheth and Ziba, the servant middleman who carried out David’s orders. I wonder if Ziba, too, felt overlooked or taken for granted.

I spent some time praying and reflecting on who in my life may feel excluded or overlooked . . . an outsider. I determined to move towards them with a word of encouragement and invitation today. But here’s the crazy thing. The whole time I was doing this there was an old man sitting by himself near me. Clearly lonely, I overheard him say to someone that afternoons were the worst because it was hard to find things to do. Left out. Mephibosheth. Right there at Starbucks.

I was reminded of the words in the song "Change" from a few weeks ago at the Table: “The smallest thing can make a difference. Don’t listen to them when they say you’re just a fool if you think you can change the world.”
Wondering . . . what are the simple things we can do today to make a place for the Mephibosheths or Zibas at The Table? Or at Starbucks?

Laura Crosby serves as the Director of Spiritual Formation at The Table