Text for this Sunday's sermon/discussion at The River:
We all desire to fit in somewhere, don't we? Whether it's a prison yard, a place of business, a social club, a political group, or even a coffee shop... we all want to find a place where we feel as though we're accepted - that we belong. Some of these places are inherently good and healthy (as long as they don't become an obsession)... and some are just plain destructive.
I used to spend a lot of time drinking large amounts of beer in college. Okay... we're not talking murder or theft or some other horrible crime (most of the time anyway). We are, however, talking about a profoundly hollow lifestyle that was just about as alienated from God as a person would ever want to become.
My favorite hangout on weekends was The Tav (which by the way, still serves awesome "Super Mother" burgers!). But it wasn't really the place that defined our community per se... it was the alcohol. Most everything we did revolved around consuming lots of booze until we achieved our profoundly simple goal of total drunkenness. This tended to accomplish many things: It made us more talkative (even though our conversations had no depth); it gave us more courage to attempt to pick up girls (even when they weren't interested); it made us feel as though we could fight better (even though we proved otherwise on a couple of occasions)... and it made us believe we could drive responsibly (even though we obviously couldn't). By the time you factor in the massive hangovers, the murdered brain cells, the messed-up (and complicated) relationships, the close calls with the law, the shadowy memories of what you did or said the night before, and the profound sense of emptiness that overwhelms after a long night of partying... it just doesn't seem nearly as exciting or worthwhile or fun the morning after. Don't get me wrong... I had a lot of fun times... but honestly, I never really experienced anything close to meaningful or purposeful or joyful... nothing that felt real inside. Sure, it was a kind of community... but in the end it was just a shallow and lonely way of life.
Have you ever experienced "community" like that? Perhaps it doesn't revolve around beer (or other alcohol)... perhaps we're talking a less ethically-challenged group more focused on shared interests and hobbies... or sporting events... or business networking... or other religions... or even (gasp)... another church that seemed to lack the vibrancy of creative and purposeful belonging. Whatever your story, I'd like to hear it sometime. Really, I would.
Anyway, somehow, some way I eventually stumbled upon (or was beckoned to) a real community of people who seemed to offer more than merely altering my mind... or the pursuit of self-centered companionship... or immediate gratification. They offered Christ to me in a shockingly new and beautiful way. And once He took up residence and became rooted in my heart... life has just never been the same.
So I gladly say sayanora to mindless tavern hopping. I may have met some great people along the way... but nevertheless, I would never want to go back to that old way of life... to that kind of empty (and costly) community... ever. I much prefer to be a part of something much bigger and better and fuller and richer and deeper. I much prefer to be a (flawed yet dearly loved) disciple of Jesus Christ. So, how about you... what's your take on it?
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