Obstacles to our Christian Message...

A couple of months ago, I was reading through some of the websites that I regularly visit, and came across several obstacles to our Christian message. The moderator for the Presbyterian Church USA, Bruce Reyes-Chow, had these on his site. They are things that the postmodern world has trouble accepting. The rest of this week, I am going to pass along some of these for your consideration and reflection...

The first is this:

We often promise relief from life's craziness rather than offer ways to experience peace in the midst of chaos:

Modernity says that we can overcome the chaos of life, Postmodernity says that choas is life.

I don't know how many times I hear, "Once _______ is over, it will be calm" or "If we could just _______ then everything will be better." This idea that the chaos of life is to be conquered is such an American way of thinking. Just pull up the boot straps and push through, damn the consequences, and everything will be better. While perseverance is commendable at times, believing that the chaos of life in today's time of globalization and technology is EVER going to go away or be conquered it downright irresponsible.

Christ can offer us the peace that we need. Don't avoid the storm, be calm in the midst of it. Yes, technology and the rapid movement of life can create its own flavor of crazy, but we have always experienced those times of peace of mind, spirit and body even though the rest of the world is still just as crazy. THAT is at the heart of the gospel for me, the peace and wholeness that we are offering in Christ.