9/26/10 "Which Way Are You Going?"

I have often heard people say that Christianity doesn't work because they have not noticed any significant changes in their life or their prayers haven't been answered. Some use this to drop out of church or they continue coming for a variety of reasons except what really matters. This is an alarming phenomenon in the church which needs to be addressed (so called "user friendly" churches have had to grapple with it) and in bringing it up I fully understand that a short piece about it here is not THE answer. But neither can we ignore it even in such a limited venue as this. The church must be educated and challenged in a variety of ways to come to full terms with this attitude that somehow Christianity must "work" or it has no relevance even if all its claims are true. First of all we need to examine the meaning of "work" or the "utilitarian" view of religion. Those with this spiritual orientation expect Christianity to be some sort of self help exercise in feeling good or that which facilitates enjoyment of a self centered lifestyle. The idea that Jesus Christ calls us to a radical repentance that brings major changes in how we live or who we are is conveniently overlooked. The thought that we need to wholeheartedly seek to please God and conduct our lives in a manner that is pleasing to the Lord (even if it hurts) is alien to anything that these utilitarians know. The mind set that we are accountable to God or that he must be at the center of our lives is also hard to grasp and even if understood it is sidestepped as being too boring, uncomfortable or excessive. In our scripture lesson for this piece, I would like to focus on the life of a little known Old Testament man who understood who he was and thrived in his obedience and wholehearted love of God. This powerhouse of a man was a mighty warrior, a brave defender of the Truth and a heavy hitter when it came to providing leadership for the people entrusted in his care. That man was Caleb,who at 85 years old, was still ready to do whatever God challenged him to do even if it meant going up against a race of people who were known for their imposing stature, great strength, and mighty feats on the battle field. Forty-five years earlier Caleb and his "side kick" Joshua had encountered these "giants," called the Anakites, when they went on a mission to assess the size and strength of the Anakites and the rest of the Caananite peoples who occupied what later became known as Palestine. Joshua and Caleb risked their lives in giving a minority report (see Numbers 13) that the enemy could be beaten no matter how unlikely that seemed to the great majority. Well, Caleb, and Joshua had to wait for forty more years before their dream of conquest could begin to be realized. Even then, however, Caleb needed to occupy his tribe's portion of the conquered land which necessitated conquering the formidable Anakites. His tribe, Judah, under his leadership, defeated and dislodged the Anakites, they took over their land and made slaves of any surviving enemies. This was the judgment of God on a people who obstinately refused to repent and insisted on going their own way, And what was the secret to Caleb's success?" It says in Joshua 14, three times, that Caleb followed the Lord wholeheartedly. He had endured years of hardship and self denial in the wilderness of the Arabian Peninsula and then in the "killing fields" of Caanan while the enemy was being subdued but in all this he learned obedience and a wholehearted commitment to the Lord who was his shield, protector and provider of that winning edge that carried Caleb even in old age to victory. Joshua 14 ends with the statement that the land finally had rest which can also be stated that Caleb and his people had rest. Unlike a certain departed crooner, Caleb did not "do it his way." but he let God have His way. Which way are you going?