One Flavor?

I love ice cream...all kinds. Vanilla has its place but I have to explore the variations and expressions of ice cream. Chocolate Chip, Pralines and Cream and the amazing classic, Rocky Road.

Even though a relatively small amount of vanilla ice cream is served it is universally the best selling flavor. Apparently there are a lot of people interested in basic ice cream. But a lot more people are interested in variety.

I believe that the Christian faith has one basic flavor...Jesus. There are a lot of expressions of that basic faith and together they make up the church.

Ephesians 4:4-6 (NIV) There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called—one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

I didn't find Jesus in a "vanilla" church. Maybe it was a "rocky road" church. Later I ended up in a military chapel and God placed me in leadership as the parish council president. The church was composed of Lutherans, Pentecostals, Baptists, Methodists, Episcopalians, etc. We had at least 31 flavors. What I learned back then was important and formative.

I have throughout the years met a lot of sweet people and a few nuts. I value the variety of expression in the church. When you get all of these flavors at the same table we can get to know Jesus more completely. Together we can reach our world better than we can apart. We are the body of Christ.

Why am I rambling on about this? First, I am aware that there are vanilla lovers who are critical of the non-vanilla flavors. There are non-vanilla flavors critical of vanilla lovers. If the basic flavor is Jesus, a biblically true Jesus, then what are we arguing about? Second, there are people moving from church to church looking for something. I believe what we're so often looking for may already be right in front of us but we miss it because we're distracted by the flavors. Third, our community needs the full expression of God, not just one flavor or another. Fourth, when we promote our flavor in the wrong way we affect the entire church adversely.

Jesus said, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." Together, those who come to Christ are the church....and it's a sweet thing!!!!

Unchanging and Everchanging

One of the biggest challenges we face is to stay fresh. For a business to stay competitive changes must be made constantly. The world is changing so quickly that it's easy to settle into the comfort of the present. Our defense: "If it ain't broke don't fix it." However, what is working for us today may not work for us next year, or for that matter, next week.

We must make changes on a regular basis to keep up. If you want to get ahead, you're going to have to make even more changes that anticipate what is to come way beyond what we can see clearly today.

We made a decision 8 years ago to abandon our land line and rely completely on cell phones. At the time there were people who thought we were crazy. Now people without cell phones are the minority and about 1/3 of households are cell phone only. Many hotel chains are considering removing phones from their guest rooms. We did well with that decision but we haven't always been able to keep up with everything.

Next to that challenge is another, holding on to values that shouldn't change. Integrity, love, courage and faith are in demand more than ever. Sometimes the fast pace of modern life pushes timeless values to a back corner of our lives. By the time we notice that these values are misplaced a lot of damage can be done.

Somehow we have to stay connected to the stability of timeless values while constantly making changes. Figuring this out is a key to happiness in life. I have found that a connection with the eternal God connects us to the unchanging and the everchanging. Paul expresses this in his benediction to the church in Rome.

Romans 16:25-27 (NIV) Now to him who is able to establish you by my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all nations might believe and obey him—to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen.

God, being eternal and wise, can clearly see what was, what is and what is to come. He reveals these things to us. People struggle to maintain balance in an environment of constant change and the answer is in a God who doesn't change. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. He also equips us for success wherever we happen to be in His eternal history.

The balance is found in the person of Jesus Christ, who walked in the world we live in yet lives eternally in the unchanging.