makeover

There is a great deal of work to be done in thinking through how we are to structure our lives as disciples who find ourselves in multiple contexts throughout the day. I am wondering if the problem is not simply that we're too busy (although that may be very true), but that we fail to see the possibilities for integration. Much of our culture tends to pull us into these directions--sometimes all at once. I feel that often what we do as disciple communities is not helping to integrate, but rather adding to the dis-integration.

How are we to structure our lives together in ways that neither unnecessarily tear people out of their 'already there' communities, nor add more complexity for the sake of having 'religious' activity? I think that for many of us it may look a little like the popular home renovation episodes on television. The structures may be added to or demolished completely--it is different with each place--but serious transformation happens. The result is a marked improvement in most cases.

If I might follow this analogy further, I would suggest that it will require people who are skilled at performing such renovation, as well as large numbers of neighbors who are willing to do what they can. It will also require us to trust ourselves to these skilled people and allow them to tell us what we must do--a discipline of submission will be absolutely necessary.