Ordinary Radical Living

In a couple of days I’m packing up my car and driving from Memphis to Atlanta to join 12,000 others at Catalyst.  I’m jazzed about what I believe will be a great time to learn and grow. I have to confess that in getting ready for Catalyst, I pulled from my shelf a book that I bought last year at Catalyst – The Irresistible Revolution: living as an ordinary radical, by Shane Claiborne.

In short, this is a book that cool people will say they love, most will hate it, but few will live up to!

For me this was more a book written to give you and me a glimpse into the life of a modern day radical.  It’s a book about Shane and his life as an ordinary radical. So, rather than talk about the book, let me comment on how Shane’s story challenged me – and could challenge you.

Shane is a self-confessed Tennessee hick (note I’m from Tennessee but I’m a city boy.) Shane admits that Jesus got-a-holt-of-him and messed up his life-really messed him up, in a good, radical way.  Shane did not just get saved. He got saved and didn’t stop at salvation. He actually believed that followers of Jesus are to be revolutionary – you know, like Jesus. He thought Christians are to actually care for and get involved with the poor.  Shane got involved in living on the streets a bunch of nights in order to care for and serve the poor. Shane has chosen to live in a community of believers – you know, in the same house with a bunch of young Christians, in a dump.  He’s chosen to live simply – not too much food, almost no stuff, nothing fancy- really, really simply.

Someone once wrote Shane a letter as follows,  “I am alone, surrounded by unbelieving activists and inactive believers. Where are the true Christians?” (p.18)  That question seems to propel Shane’s quest – to live as a true Christian.

So, he heard about the starving children in India and instead of just saying a prayer for them before eating his strawberry pie, Shane went to India and spent time with Mother Theresa serving the poor.

A quote from Ignatius on p 332 struck me – “if our church is not marked by caring for the poor, the oppressed, and the hungry, then we are guilty of heresy.” Shane not only believes that quote – he turns his life to Jesus and in the direction of the oppressed ones whom Jesus loves.

He believes that God actually hates war so he went to Iraq to spend time encouraging the Christians there – but actually the Christians taught him and some Muslims in a village saved his team from disaster.

He believes that God really is not impressed by our big, ornate church buildings so he got very involved in trying to challenge Bill Hybels about a new building project.

Shane’s is a journey to live radically for Jesus.  I love looking into Shane’s journey but I don’t like feeling personally challenged by the book – it makes me realize that I am supposed to become a radical for Jesus. I don’t like feeling challenged by what I know God desires of me. I don’t like Shane making me look in the mirror and ask, “Mark what happened to you? How did you get so normal.”  Shane makes me realize that I’m so far from being the kind of radical Christian that scripture demands of me.

As a younger man, God led our family to move around the world to make his name known among the least reached. He led me to open refugee camps for starving Mozambicans, and start churches in South Africa.  Jesus’ love for us led us to move our family from South Africa to Pakistan to love Afghans and Pakistanis, and serve God among one of the largest refugee populations in history.   I also spent time in India and walked some of the Calcutta streets where Mother Theresa served the poor.  So, to say the least, I could really identify with Shane’s journey of faith.  I would challenge any of you who has not spent time overseas among the oppressed and unreached, you must!  The experience will transform your worldview and draw you nearer to Jesus.

Nevertheless, through Shane’s story of ordinary radical living I’m challenged to a deeper plunge into living for Jesus. Yes I’ve lived in some crazy places, BUT, Shane’s story reminded me that I’m not really radical at all. Shane’s radical puts everyone I know to shame, especially me.  I’m too comfortable. I’m too acceptable. I’m too content “flirting with Christianity,” rather than living with and like Jesus.

But even Shane’s radical living – is nothing compared to Jesus’.

So, here’s my recommendation – read this book and get some holy dis-satisfaction with being a “good Christian.”  I warn you – If you are like me, you may love the book and hate it at the same time. As you get mad at yourself for not being radical enough, get out your Bible and turn to the life of Jesus.

Ask yourself the question – do I really believe the Bible?  Am I living like I believe Jesus’ life and message or am I just flirting with Christianity?

“We need more fools, holy fools who insist that the folly of the cross is wiser than any human power.  And the world may call us crazy.” p 343

Mark