Whoa, there is sooooo much in this first chapter of Living Together! And while I could comment on a number of things that caught my attention in it, I'm going to discipline myself to focus on one particular aspect of community that Bonhoeffer addresses, because I believe it's absolutely foundational to experiencing true Christian community.
I'm referring to the last part of the chapter under the subtitle "A Spiritual Not a Human Reality." I'll quote several lines out of this section to summarize his thoughts about this:
- Because Christian community is founded solely on Jesus Christ, it is a spiritual and not a psychic (human) reality...
- The basis of the community of the Spirit is truth; the basis of human community is desire...
- Human love is directed to the other person for his own sake, spiritual love loves him for Christ's sake. Therefore, human love seeks direct contact with the other person; it loves him not as a free person but as one with whom it binds to itself...
- JESUS CHRIST STANDS BETWEEN THE LOVER AND THE OTHERS HE LOVES...Because Christ stands between me and others, I dare not desire direct fellowship with them...
- I must release the other person from every attempt of mine to regulate, coerce, and dominate him with my love...
- Because Christ has long since acted decisively for my brother before I could begin to act, I must leave him freedom to be Christ's...Human love lives by uncontrolled and uncontrollable dark desires; spiritual love lives in the clear light of service ordered by the truth...
I totally agree with the author in this, both because I see it in Scripture (II Cor. 5:16) and because I know it in my personal experience! (Watchman Nee addresses the root issues around this topic when he writes in Release of the Spirit about the difference between living from the spirit and living out of soulish powers...wonderful book, by the way!)
In our sincere desire to see those around us walk in the life of Jesus, we so often operate from a place of soulish force, hoping to coerce the person into truth. What a release it is to see Jesus Christ between myself and others and understand that no amount of psychic or human pressure will accomplish the job, and that long before I came along, Jesus knew the person and so he or she must be given "freedom to be Christ's". It is a painful process to come to this reality because of our proneness to want to "own" or "possess" others and ensure that they go the right way.
But true Christian community is impossible without a strong awareness and embracing of this truth...otherwise, it's simply natural human desire for community; and human community without Jesus strongly in our midst between every relationship is doomed for failure.
Come, Holy Spirit, and teach us how to live with one another in such a way that we understand that our calling is to be the friend of the Bridegroom whose joy it is to point others to Jesus rather than to ourselves...may we see one another through the cross and thereby see each other correctly - in this wholesome relating, we build Christian community. Thank You, dear Lord!
For the next two weeks, we will be in chapter two, which is about "The Day with Others." How does Bonhoeffer's approach to our life together in prayer and the Word help lift you out of a narrow, restricted understanding of what's going on in our corporate prayer and worship?
I'm finding that this book is a bit hard for me to read. I have to really concentrate. Not sure if it's how Bonhoeffer writes or if it's the depth of his understanding that's a bit beyond me.
ReplyDeleteOne portion that stood out to me in Chapter 2 was how we are to focus our attention on Jesus first thing in the morning. I have one of those minds that races - thinking about what I want to accomplish that day,
focusing on my own concerns about family and friends...things like that. Through the years I have tried to go to Jesus first thing, recognizing He is in control, recognizing His love for me, and His ability to work in all situations. But I still find myself getting caught up in the day's concerns.
Bonhoeffer says "All unrest, all impurity, all care and anxiety flee before him."
How does a person truly give it all to Jesus and rest in Him? Is it just a discipline? Does it take a while to practice this and learn? I am tired and want to know God's peace. If anyone has an insight, please share. Thanks!
In response to Anonymous' comments and questions, I have a couple of thoughts that might be helpful, but there may be others who have insights to add to this...
ReplyDeleteOne comment is about the book (and other such books as this one) - it's important to read a book in the light of the generation of the author. Some language used by authors such as Bonhoeffer lands on today's cultural ears differently than it would have in his day. His language can sound hard and dogmatic at times but if read in the context of his generation and his own experiences, the reader can capture the spirit of the book and not be overwhelmed by a literal interpretation of words according to today's understanding of those same words.
Now, concerning prayer and resting in the Lord, it is true that over and over the Scriptures indicate that prayer in the morning is a proven helpful discipline, but it also speaks of prayer at other times of the day as well. Knowing that humans are wired differently when it comes to the time of day that we're most alert, I've concluded a couple of things: one, that even if I'm not a "morning person", I can take brief moments to acknowledge the Lord's presence and my need of Him in this new day; the second thing is that as far as a more intentional time with Him and His Word goes, I want to give Him the time of day when I am most alert.
What we all often encounter, no matter what the time of day, is that our minds are easily distracted. Sometimes, as Anonymous suggests, this is a simple issue of discipline and perhaps even making oneself accountable to someone in order to establish a healthy discipline of prayer.
But there can also be unresolved and/or unconscious issues that have to do with sin or unhealed wounds I still carry because of others' sins against me. This can result in unhealthy introspection when I get into the Lord's presence, and this makes prayer anything but restful because I am tormented with constantly looking at myself instead of Him...if the struggle in prayer is related to this, then there may be need for help in a couple of ways: one way is to begin to practice looking to Jesus throughout the day, even if it's only for a second or two at a time, periodically and regularly turning my thoughts to Him to acknowledge that He is with me. This practice of becoming more and more aware of His presence helps make my heart tender toward Him and easier for Him to deal with the hidden areas of my heart and mind. The other help I may need is prayer ministry by someone else to help me walk through whatever hindrance or barrier there might be to my enjoying the Lord and His love.
The Lord bless you and draw near to you as you reach out for Him...keep in mind that it's your reaching for Him that so captures His heart, not your attaining some kind of religious goal in prayer, ok?
I may have to bow out of reading this book. I went to Barnes & Noble and they said this book was out of print. They didn't have it. I was going to try Northwestern but wasn't able to yesterday and I have class tonight so....I'm getting behind. Did anyone purchase this book from a store rather than ordering from Amazon? Thanks
ReplyDeleteI'd like to respond to the comment from Anonymous who wrote earlier this week...I'm so much like this in that my mind runs ahead into the day, thinking about all that I want to do and accomplish. I guess I still struggle with this at times, but I find that the earlier I can be up before anyone else, it helps me to be a bit quieter. What helped the most, however, have been the times that I have devoted to extended times of ministering to the Lord (i.e., silently worshipping Him with others using CD worship and Scriptures) - this has done something deeply in me so that worship then continues in my spirit throughout the day. It's not so much the model of worship as the practice of turning my full and loving attention to Him that has helped me come to increasing rest.
ReplyDeleteI think I'm recognizing that not everyone is made the same and so sometimes I struggle with books that others may rave about, and yet there is usually something, even though "small," that may stick with me in the midst of much that I don't understand.
The enemy would love to get us under and feeling like failures in comparison to others, but the Lord takes into account our personalities and goes from there. Discipline is certainly part of this, but false guilt can wreak havoc with our minds...Does this help?
I also would like to comment on what anonymous wrote earlier this week (and I guess my comment may piggy back off of what Nita shared in her response). As I was reading anonymous' post I was thinking about the journey that God has me on in "calming down the rage within" that at times seem like a gigantic wave crashing over and over and I get swept under the impact of it. (Well, that's a 'slightly' dramatic way of putting it, but in the midst of my 'dramatic flair,' He's teaching me a LOT about looking to Him throughout the day...practicing His Presence, calling to mind (reminding myself) that the LIVING ONE dwells within me and many times throughout the day just speaking His name on my lips or saying "Abba, I belong to You," helps me to focus and shift my attention onto Him and off of the situations/people that are weighing heavily on my heart. It's basicially Psalm 34:5 - looking to Him and practicing looking to Him over and over again...and standing with friends who are pointing me to Jesus.
ReplyDeleteAnd YES this takes TIME and Much Practice, but we have dwelling within us the GREAT REMINDER and REVEALER of Truth, Holy Spirit.
And I gotta say that this place of 'remaining/abiding' in Him - choosing to believe and receive His Word to me - this is VIOLENCE b/c there are many distractions/voices throughout the day calling me away - but the work of God is to BELIEVE in who He is, what He's done & will do and who He says we are in Him.
Oh I'm just at the beginning of understanding and learning to waddle through these things - but the wonderful thing is we're in this TOGETHER. (Not only is HE IN US and WITH US, but we are connected to the family of God.) It's a beautiful reality - the greatest reality of all - that we are loved by God today, in this moment, and we BELONG!
M.W. - Not sure if you'll get this note, because I'm commenting on last week's readings...but I got my book through Amazon, which was so slick. I actually ordered 3 books at once, which gave me free shipping. Sorry you couldn't find the book. I have really enjoyed your involvement and the comments you've written in the blog, so I hope you can join us on the next book!
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