The Living Word

We sat in my Dad's backyard, in the shade of a crab apple tree, talking. There were only a handful of us: me, my Dad and his two brothers, my uncle's wife and two daughters, their children... my fiancee was temporarily absent, gone to pick up my daughter and her oldest with her youngest in tow. There were tips, polishes, thighs, a couple of slabs, potato salad, baked beans and corn in the husk. It was a beautiful Saturday early afternoon. The sky was bright and blue, with white whisps of cotton floating by. Doves, sparrows and a cardinal appreciated the new bird feeder my Dad hung from a tree limb in the middle of the yard. It was peaceful and comfortable back there.

The music of conversation rustled our hearts and minds as we spoke on a great many things, most of which had to do with understanding ourselves better, sharing stories and peeling back the layers to discover issues needing to be addressed. We talked about tar babies, frustrations in relationships, family secrets, and remembered loved ones who had already made their transition.

As we talked we realized the importance of getting together to talk about the things that were important to us - to share our lives with each other as openly and honestly and in the innocence of children basking naked in the glow of God's love.

And as I listened, it hit me - a mild epiphany. My cousin was talking about how openly the congregation at her church discusses life's issues - no holds barred. I realized the power and beauty, at that moment, of church: the body of Christ.

The Old Testament is a history of the Jewish people; a history written down so that generations could review it and learn from the mistakes of the past - its relevance guaranteed because of the enduring and unifying culture of that people's religion. More than a history of a specific group of people, the Old Testament is also a catalogue of human behavior. Part of the reason for its unmatchable feat of remaining on the bestseller's list throughout the ages, is the fact that it wonderfully illustrates behavioral issues of the human condition; allowing the student-reader to examine the psychology and sociology of man through the rich and complex case studies presented in biographical form. The Old Testament is just that: a testimony of a people's history.

For all the beauty and value of the Old Testament, especially within the context of Christianity, in helping to develop a life perspective, values, morals and ethics - readers are not limited to the discoveries found among its pages through dedicated study. There is a "living" testimony, a Living Word, if you will, which is much more accessible, relevant and beautiful; a testament we are required to "read" and share which provides a meaningful and contemporary context for the Gospel of Christ. This "Living Word" is the testimony of our lives.

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." - John 1:1

The testimony of our lives! Sitting in lawn chairs and fold up chairs with plastic cups of Arizona Iced Tea sitting in the grass at our feet, mouths full of laughter and food, we were telling the truth on and about ourselves to each other. This was fellowship. This was church. In scripture Jesus says,

"Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." - Matt. 18:20

Here we were, in my Dad's backyard, gathered in the name of love, speaking from our hearts, and baring our souls to one another. In hindsight I should have pulled out two extra chairs, one to represent the presence of God in our midst and the other for a rotation of family members and loved one's to join us in spirit. Maybe next time.

Getting back to the scripture in Matthew: the verse emphasizes the power and purpose in relationship and offers a key to salvation. Life is about relationships. More specifically, life is about how you relate to others... loving thy neighbor as yourself. Through relationships we learn about others, but more importantly, we learn about ourselves. In learning about ourselves, we discover the Goodness of God; and make no mistake - God is definitely Good!

Simplifying this: if the primary relationship in your life is your relationship with God, then through and in that relationship you learn from your Maker who, what, where, why and how you are. In learning the answers to these questions, you discover the love, grace and mercy of God. This discovery continues as the relationship is dynamic, an ongoing process of challenge, inquiry, discovery, practice and trust.

Some may ask, "Well, how do I get with God to facilitate this process? I mean, its not like I can see Him, hear Him, or touch Him." Funny because this question reminds me of a scripture about people having eyes and not being able to see, and having ears but not being able to hear:

"Why do the nations say, 'Where is their God?' Our God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases him. But their idols are silver and gold, made by the hands of men. They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but they cannot see; they have ears, but cannot hear, noses, but they cannot smell; they have hands, but cannot feel, feet, but they cannot walk; nor can they utter a sound with their throats. Those who make them will be like them, and so will all who trust in them." - Psalms 115

In other words, those who have made it a practice of framing their life's perspective with those things that do not glorify God (i.e., idols) and have in effect substituted for a relationship with God a relationship with the objects of their desires, have cut themselves off from the vitality and true adventure of life. In choosing to worship these false gods, we cut ourselves off from living in the wonder of His power and the joy of His gift of being.

"Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God [is] a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship [him] in spirit and in truth." - John 4:22-24

Which brings me back to where I started: The Living Word. Worshipping God in spirit and in truth is the definition of relationship. As we deal with one another in the spirit of love, allowing ourslves to be open and honest with each other, in effect sharing the testimony of our daily lives with those whom we love, without shame or embarrasment, and with the understanding that this is the legacy and lesson of the Old Testament, we worship God.

One of the most beautiful things I heard that day came when I was driving my fiancee's oldest daughter back to her dad's house. She excused herself into the conversation I was having with her mother and said with the sweetest and most genuine voice I have ever heard from her, "I really like your family. They treated me and my sister like we belonged even though we weren't related by blood. They are open and accepting and full of love." I smiled inside out. Isn't that what God's family is supposed to be about?

- Father's Day 2006