Thoughts on Walking into a Closed Door

Last night I thought I was helpful. My wife even thanked me for the "wisdom" I had dispensed on her behalf. Then it happened. I proved otherwise.

While grilling salmon outside on the deck I intended to go back inside to fetch something. In doing so I proceeded to walk into the glass slider door that was already closed. (Previously, I thought only dogs did that!) I smooshed my face and crunched my hand. I deposited my beverage all over the slider glass, and myself, nearly smashing my beverage container in the process. Epic fail. At that moment any self-applause I harbored in response to my previously dispensed "wisdom" was eliminated from the clutter in my brain. My wife is gracious. We had a good laugh. At my expense. Well deserved.

On another but related note, religious people are taught to believe that their most recent thought or action determines who they are, the status of their position or status in relation to God. (And if that's true, last night I positioned myself in God's eyes as the village idiot.) It's no wonder other people see religious people as dictated by a long list of "do's" and "don'ts." It's as if the goal of religious affiliation and activity is to become a "good person." Religion, therefore is viewed by our wider culture as being no more than a lifelong quest for "morality." Problem #1 is, one person's morality is someone else's immorality. Problem #2 is, no one is truly moral.

However, religion and the gospel are not the same thing. Religion is mankind's idea, while the gospel is God's. Religion says, "do the right things." The gospel says, "Done!"

How can that be?

My standing as a Christ-follower is not based on how well I adhere to the "do's and don'ts list." Good thing, since I'm just seconds away from my next epic fail. Instead, the gospel tells me that my standing isn't predicated on my behavior, it's based on Jesus' accomplishment. In what Martin Luther called the "Great Exchange" Jesus took my sin to the cross, and in exchange gave me his standing before God. Not based on what I do, but on what Jesus already did. This is undeserved; the very definition of grace.

Freedom for me is found in not having to please God for my worth, standing or future. He's already pleased with me solely because He's pleased with Jesus. I am now free to abandon my own false sense of propriety, my own conjectures of morality, and even my score on the "do's and don'ts list." I'm free to love and serve because I'm freed from having to earn and self-justify. I am freed from hoping other people will see me as wise, and freed to follow after the truly wise One.

Even when I'm attempting to walk through closed doors.

Before I die...

"The report of my death was an exaggeration" said Mark Twain. Same would be true of me, as this is no posthumous announcement. But I did notice something rather interesting in downtown Juneau the other day.


A large, multi-panel chalkboard has been set up, just down the street from the State Capitol Building with the words "Before I Die..." and then spaces for folks to fill in the blanks with their hopes and dreams for their remaining days. Maybe it's just performance art. But it was enough to stop my car, illegally mind you, and give it a look over.

For sure, there was the expected assortment of inane, juvenile statements that included sexual conquest, self-medication, unicorns and leaping tall buildings. We are Alaska, but not immune to dumb thinking. I also read responses that had more to do with general good will, peace between nations and stopping to appreciate the little things in life, albeit with my addendum that nothing in Alaska is little.

With my car continuing in its illegal placement I read the rich variety of responses. And this got me thinking: Before I die, what do I wish for?

The previous evening I attended an organizational meeting for Young Life, and I was blessed with how the people there represented a wide number of local churches. But we were on the same page with the same priority - new gospel life for students in our city. Before I die I would love to see the churches in our city unified in relationship and shared mission. That would be witness on a big scale!

The Tuesday morning before I gathered again with our Porterbrook fellas. (It's like seminary training, but I don't tell them that.) These fellas come from several churches, and are looking to learn in order to lead. Before I die I want to see a cadre of men rise up to humbly and effectively lead in their homes and churches and start up new churches throughout Southeast Alaska.

Deb and I visited a church on Saturday (!) evening. They were as friendly and welcoming as a church could possibly be. Before I die I want to see my own gospel witness and proclamation, and that of Radiant Church Juneau be welcoming, and not condemnatory. 

Before I die I want to insure that my wife knows she couldn't possibly be more adored than she is by her husband. Before I die I want my children to know their father is fully engaged and immensely proud of them. Before I die I want to see Radiant Church Juneau be a radiant expression of the gospel to our city.

No, I didn't add my wishes to the downtown Before I Die board. Instead, I asked God to write them on my own heart. That way, I'll be less tempted to settle for lesser wishes.