In 1989 the Cubs and Giants were in a series for the National League Championship. My wife and I were living in the San Francisco area at the time. A friend called who had 2 tickets to one of the games at Candlestick Park - I hadn't seen my team - the Cubs - since moving away from Chicago years before. It ended up a terrible day. Earlier in the day I had 4 wisdom teeth out but was determined not to miss the game. Upon arriving in my Cubs shirt I was surrounded - not a Cubs fan to be seen - by Giants fans - they were only too happy to rain insults upon me the entire game - insults that increased with every round of beer they drank. My mouth was too swallen to give any response. The Cubs lost as I sat isolated in a hostile world!
Last weekend a good friend treated my son and I to a Diamondbacks/Cubs game up in Phoenix. Despite being born in Seattle I have successfully raised my son to love the Cubs and we were thrilled to get to see them although I wondered if I would experience a similar reception as I got at Candlestick. Not so - as we sat waiting to meet our friends, Cub fans - one after another arrived at the stadium - my son had on his Cub hat and shirt and was frequently greeted and encouraged the the steady stream of blue shirts. I am sure the stadium was 1/3 or more cub fans. We relaxed, cheered and felt quite at home ... as we watched the Cubs lose again.
I Peter 2:11 says that we are "aliens and strangers" in this world - other places tell us that we are of "God's household" and "citizens of heaven." What does that look like here? It can mean that we sometimes receive hostility - Jesus said to expect it. It doesn't mean we are to be antagonistic - the verses in Peter which follow tell us to "keep our behavior excellent" in the world. It doesn't mean we can just be about heaven and disengage - our calling is to engage and serve and love here and now! I am not sure how this all gets lived out but i do know that even while being involved, serving and living here - I am not to become rooted here - I don't think I am supposed to quite get comfortable. A stadium full of like minded Cubs fans is not where God has placed me - although I have many along the way that are an encouragement and we can walk together - ultimately this is not my home - I am a pilgrim - a stranger, an alien. I have found that when I get too rooted here - my calling to mission is actually dulled. When I embrace being a pilgrim - my passion for mission is increased.
No comments:
Post a Comment
What do you think?