The Whole of Life

Being a pastor is a strange experience. It is a mix of so many things, for example, I am a spiritual leader in a community but not recognized as such by many people outside the church. Another example is the fact that the vast majority of my time is spent on mundane issues as opposed to spiritual ones, like phone calls, letters,planning, and preparing. I keep lists of projects and activities on Post-Its on my desk to remind me of what needs to be done. In many communities, the many hats of the pastor wouldn't end there. It is not uncommon in many communities for the pastor to be responsible for the upkeep of the grounds and church building, sorting the mail, printing the bulletin, taking out the garbage, and changing the light bulbs. I am thankful to be blessed with many willing volunteers who serve the Lord by helping out in these ways.

Hebrews 13:1"Brotherly love must continue. 13:2 Do not neglect hospitality, because through it some have entertained angels without knowing it. 13:3 Remember those in prison as though you were in prison with them, and those ill-treated as though you too felt their torment. 13:4 Marriage must be honored among all and the marriage bed kept undefiled, for God will judge sexually immoral people and adulterers. 13:5 Your conduct must be free from the love of money and you must be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you and I will never abandon you.” 13:6 So we can say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper, and I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” 13:7 Remember your leaders, who spoke God’s message to you; reflect on the outcome of their lives and imitate their faith. 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever! 13:9 Do not be carried away by all sorts of strange teachings. For it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not ritual meals, which have never benefited those who participated in them. 13:10 We have an altar that those who serve in the tabernacle have no right to eat from. 13:11 For the bodies of those animals whose blood the high priest brings into the sanctuary as an offering for sin are burned outside the camp. 13:1   Therefore, to sanctify the people by his own blood, Jesus also suffered outside the camp. 13:13 We must go out to him, then, outside the camp, bearing the abuse he experienced. 13:14 For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come. 13:15 Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, acknowledging his name. 13:16 And do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for God is pleased with such sacrifices.13:17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls and will give an account for their work. Let them do this with joy and not with complaints, for this would be no advantage for you. 13:18 Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience and desire to conduct ourselves rightly in every respect. 13:19 I especially ask you to pray that I may be restored to you very soon.  13:20 Now may the God of peace who by the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead the great shepherd of the sheep, our Lord Jesus Christ, 13:21 equip you with every good thing to do his will, working in us what is pleasing before him through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever. Amen. 13:22 Now I urge you, brothers and sisters, bear with my message of exhortation, for in fact I have written to you briefly. 13:23 You should know that our brother Timothy has been released. If he comes soon, he will be with me when I see you. 13:24 Greetings to all your leaders and all the saints. Those from Italy send you greetings. 13:25 Grace be with you all."

 The letters of the New Testament generally follow a particular pattern when it comes to topics: doctrine or teaching first, and then practical matters of the Christian life. The idea is that belief and action are intertwined for the Christian. The separation of the spiritual and temporal is a product of Western culture, and is essentially pagan in origin. The biblical view of life is holistic – all aspects of our lives are connected and influence each other. Simply believing and not doing is an oxymoron for the disciple of Christ. To have a set of beliefs that have no bearing on daily living is the very definition of classical paganism, like the Greeks or Romans. They would go to the temples and give offerings, appeasing the gods or asking their blessing, and then go home to their regular routine. The realm of the  spiritual and the realm of the mundane never came together. Sound familiar?