more_haas_power

I just got home from a Kuyper's Cafe that was perhaps the most practically challenging thing that I have ever experienced. Other things have been challenging theoretically, and challenging through biblical challenges...but nothing so challenging in practical ways in my life. We talked about an article by David Naugle on compartmentalization (dualism), and I began (tip-of-the-iceberg-type-stuff) to see just how many areas of my life I leave my Lord and Saviour out of. I began to see how many areas within myself (my thinking, my speech, my actions, places I go, how I plan my days, etc) and my culture (media, my role politically and economically, etc, etc, etc)I leave Christ out of. I don't even begin to consider how I can bring glory and praise to God through these aspects of life. The biggest conviction of the evening was the phrase, "Satan has room to take over if we leave God out of certain realms of life." There is a spiritual battle, if you will, that is constantly taking place in the world; a battle for the governing body of the country (justice, the welfare of the poor, the life of babies, etc), a battle for control of the media material that I let affect my thought-patterns, a battle for how I use my spare time, a battle for the activities that I do with my friends, a battle for EVERY ASPECT, REALM, AREA, COMPARTMENT OF LIFE!!!!

God demands perfection from me, which I couldn't give him if my life depended on it (which, ironically, it does). Knowing this, he GRACIOUSLY sent his son to be perfect for me, so that I can become righteous in his sight. Now nothing in the universe and beyond can separate me from my Father's love. Out of gratitude, love and sheer excitement for this grace, I want my life to be dedicated to glorifying God in all these areas!!! This is a very big task, and one that I CAN NOT carry out on my own. This is why community is so important! God created us as communal beings, needing the encouragement, accountability, and support of those around us. Typically, Christian "young adults" like myself just hang out and have fun, and don't do any of the above. If we are really going to strive to serve God in all these areas, which will lead to a lot of suffering from our culture, then we have to be open, honest, accountable, encouraging, challenging, sincere, and gracious to one another. We have to think hard and figure out how we can glorify God in certain situations and certain aspects of our lives.

David Naugle, who wrote the article, states that this Compartmentalization is the biggest temptation of our day and culture (for Christians), and is possibly the most terrible thing that has happened within the church. He hates the thought of "Christianity as its own distinct realm of life rather than a way of life for every realm." I only read part of the article, and I am already very challenged, so I can't wait to read the whole thing and really think about what parts of my life need desperate change.

Until then....may God's grace hold us all tightly and give us the desire to submit our whole lives to his purposes!

In Christ...