The book is Jesus Wants to Save Christians by Rob Bell and Don Golden. It's about what Jesus intended the church to be and how many have lost their way.
The authors quote Anne Lamott who said that the most powerful sermon in the world is two words: "Me too."
They they go on to say:
Me too.
When you are struggling,
when you are hurting,
wounded, limping, doubting,
questioning, barely hanging on,
moments away from another relapse,
and somebody can identify with you -
someone knows the temptations that are at your door,
somebody has felt the pain you are feeling,
when someone can look you in the eyes and say, 'Me too,'
and they actually mean it -
it can save you.
When you aren't judged,
or lectured,
or looked down upon,
but somebody demonstrates that they get it,
that they know what it's like,
that you aren't alone,
that's 'me too.'
I was so excited about this because that's exactly the way Living Room is. That's what makes our group work. That's what's so healing about it. That's what makes us like a church - like church should be for everyone. Only church isn't always like that. Too often people are judged, looked down on, shunned. If only all Christians could learn - when they meet someone who is different - someone who has bipolar disorder or schizophrenia - to listen to them and try to understand them. If they could only enter into their suffering when they suffer...and then rejoice with them when they rejoice. Isn't that what Christian love is supposed to be all about?
5 comments:
Marja,
What a lovely poem! What a great point of view. It would seem you have created your own ministry (after a fashion) where you don't judge, but rather accept, listen to, and love so that everyone can say, "Me, too" and genuinely feel it's true.
Susan
Hi Susan,
Yes, that is a poem, isn't it? Though I don't think the authors intended it to be. The entire book is written in short statements separated by double spaces. Some statements are full paragraphs, some full sentences, and others short phrases like this. A very interesting design and a pleasure to read.
Yes, Living Room definitely IS a ministry. Now to get Christians in all churches to think and act like this, eh? Quite a challenge, but a worthwhile one.
marja
Me again, Susan. You know why? Because that's Jesus' way. That's the way He came to tell us to live.
That is TOTALLY what Christian love is supposed to be about!!
And, that it exactly what I've been learning about lately! (As you read in my post!)
Thanks, Paula. If all Christians could only remember that, eh? If they would only live that way. But alas, we're human and we sin.
Post a Comment