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Maye, Ricky

Barefoot Christianity/Ricky Maye

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Introduction

Movement

So, what is Barefoot Christianity?

Barefoot Christianity is a movement, and most of us want to be a part of a movement. We want to change the world, start revolutions, and make an impact.

What if the way to do it wasn’t through that kind of movement? What if it was through a simpler kind of movement…?

What if to change the world, I didn’t have to swim across the Atlantic, bike down the east coast, or climb a mountain?

Maybe it could start with a single step.

To continue a journey, we can’t make the often piteous and commonly accepted choice to ignore the past or count it as less important.

We can build on the past; we are strengthened by it.

The past does not define me; it ignites me. The past is not a piece of me, it has placed me.

Barefoot Christianity is simply taking off our shoes and exposing ourselves to the world around us; litterally amd beyond.

Barefoot Christianity is about vulnerability and no one exhibits vulnerability like Jesus Christ-born of an unwed teen couple in a society of chaos, and an environment that wouldn’t necessarily signify what we would think of when we visualize the birth of a king.

Barefoot Christianity is not the answer; it is a piece of the puzzle, a portion of a discussion that has been going on for centuries.

There is a question that has occupied us, and that is, how do we live out our faith? The question that is often rooted here is a little deeper than how we as a community can share our faith. The deeper reality we have to continually face is how I, a struggler, a failure, a broken man, can share my faith.

I used to think I was alone, and then the emails poured in. Adulterers’, convicts, and everyday people who have made mistakes yet they still can’t help, but to want talk about this God who loves them relentlessly. They want to share jesus despite…

We hear countless sermons on God’s greatness, power, and majesty, which is all great to hear, but it is an entirely differently thing to hear of a vulnerable God. Stories of the Red Sea parting, Noah’s Ark, and Sodom and Gomorrah seem to dominate in terms of popular Bible topics, primarily because of the attributes of strength we see from God in those moments, which as I said is a great way to see and relate to God. But, what about the God who’s heart broke at mankind’s rejection (Gen 6:6)? What about the God who lamented to Job (Job 11:7)?

I also find it interesting that a God that is without flaws and shortcomings chooses to reveal himself to us in part as weakness and vulnerability in Jesus Christ. This strikes a responsive chord in each one of us, because suddenly, God can relate to each of us.

Despite all the elegant words and philosophical rhetoric, some of the most intense and heartfelt words you can offer are, “me too”.

I love how the writer of Hebrews said, “We do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses.” (Heb 4:15) This is the God of all creation giving us a big, “me too”.

People will find reasons not to jive with the teachings in this book. However, one fact that cannot be argued is that God chose to give his son for each one of us, and He could not only sympathize with weakness, but He chose to have personal experience with weakness, trials, and temptations just as you and I do.

Last year I was blessed to release my first full length book entitled, An Emerging Spirituality. The book was a sort of theological memoir of my journey with this Jesus and his church so far.

An Emerging Spirituality can be summed up by saying, central to sound spirituality is the need to embrace doubts, encourage fears, and celebrate questions. See, the essential need in a spiritual journey isn’t a building or knowledge, but a journey and a journey encourages us to get lost, see new sights, and fall in love with the foundation of ourselves.

Now, almost two years after finishing that project, I’m beginning a different kind of journey.

The first was presented in An Emerging Spirituality by the question, “How do I believe or express my faith, even with my doubt, questions and all that life throws at me?” Now the question has become, “how can I walk out my faith?” How can I walk out what I believe, when I live with doubt, questions and I make mistakes? Hopefully through this book we can create a dialog and gain some answers to this question.

It’s the difference between how to believe and what to do with it when I’ve found it.

This is my journey into what it means to be a follower of Christ, and how to relate it to those who believe and those who don’t.

I am a broken person who has spent a good portion of my life trying to figure out what it means to follow Jesus. I’ve learned that skills do not qualify or disqualify any of us from our purpose. Grace is what qualifies you, and grace will always be on your side.

My responsibility isn’t to change the world to bring people to Jesus, my responsibility is to change the world so the world can be aware of Jesus. It is the job of Jesus to change lives, to impact, and reveal himself.

My fear wasn’t that the church would lose me, but that I would get lost in church. I didn’t want to get caught up in doing for the sake of doing.

My search began, as most of mine do, in the scriptures looking into the words and lives of its contributors. These words are divine, timeless, and what God calls “living”. These words in the Bible, black and red alike, are alive. (Heb 4:12)

When in smaller groups, I tend to ask what it means for the Bible to be living and I often get silence as an answer.

The words of the Bible are inspired of God and they are alive, which means they evolve, they grow, they touch, they respond, and they speak.

When understanding this, different viewpoints will be expected and encouraged, not feared. It is an affirmation of God’s living word when we progress, uncover, and let the revelation of the Holy Spirit run wild in our hearts.

So, what it is that you can expect from this book?

The usual. Insight though the Hebrew and Greek languages, and word studies that will reveal biblical words in a way you never saw them before. I want to us look into the scriptures, personalities, and biblical history to see how we can live out this faith we are so passionate about.

However, you can also expect to be challenged. This book will challenge you to go deeper with your faith or walk with Christ. You will be challenged to move from mere belief into action. This book is not about expressing conviction, but expressing an invitation to move into a new realm with Jesus

I wrote An Emerging Spirituality for those on all paths of a spiritual journey; this book is no different. If you’re not a Christian you can still learn, grow, and find insight that I hope pushes you from compassion to passion. For the Christian, I pray this book takes you from reaction into action.

So, join me. Take off your shoes, lower your guard, open your mind, and let’s walk this road together.

Chapter One

Stars

Scars can be painful. What I mean to say, is that scars can ultimately be full of pain, even after the incident occurs.

Scars don’t solve, they are usually prone to bring more questions to the surface. Scars don’t resolve, they often offer more confusion and inquiry.

Why me?

Why not him or her, or them?

Or even why, just why?

What often happens is that a scar or event can become part of our physical, spiritual, or emotional makeup. We let this tragic event in so much that it becomes part of us. That ugly event, that moment of hurt, is now a part of you.

I met Mike in late 2005; he was a youth pastor and spiritual father to hundreds of youth and young adults. I admired Mike. He had a way with teens and young adults that I’ve only seen a few times in my life; Mike had a rare gift.

About 6 months after I met Mike, he decided to take the biggest step of his life and walk down the aisle with his partner, Tom. Mike was publicly fired from his position in his church of 20 years, harassed, and threatened by the parents of teens he mentored.

Mike received a series of scars that wounded him deeper than any physical cut could.

The last time I talked to Mike, he had separated himself from church and helping teens altogether. The world lost a great helper and hurt a big heart the day Mike was fired.

Mike isn’t alone; we all face our own scars every day. But, what if scars are not as ugly as the events that caused them?

Stars

Standing in front of a group of teens and their parents I asked, “Are stars beautiful?” “Why do we look at them with such awe and inspiration?”

The answers I received from both groups were pretty common; the words “breathtaking” and “beautiful” were thrown around a few times. The word “inspirational” was also used often.

Stars are made from gaseous explosions and collisions of elements. What we are actually looking at are bruises of the universe. We are gazing at the travail of the galaxies around us.

Let me put it this way, stars are the scars of the universe.

A star is the result of something that couldn’t make it, couldn’t contain itself so it combusted; stars are the wounds of the universe.

That day as I ended that session, I asked everyone to stand. I asked a series of questions, and told the members to sit down if none of the questions applied to them.

I asked, “Do you have any physical scars?”

“Have you ever inflicted pain into your own body?”

“Has anyone every hurt you?”

“Have you ever felt abandoned?”

“Have you ever attempted to kill yourself?”

“How many of you feel broken while sitting here?”

The lights were off. When we brought the lights back up, everyone was still standing and that day it became real that we were not alone. You are not alone.

Moms, dads, teens, black, white, rich, poor, Christian, and non-religious; we are all facing the same struggles, doubts, and tragedies.

I ended that day by saying that we are not as alone as we think. There are no barriers to pain and hurt.

Just as these stars that surround us, I bet you have some scars, some physical, some spiritual, some mental, and some emotional.

My arms are filled with visual reminders of the physical pain I inflicted on myself in my teen years. Over fifteen years later they are still there for the world to see. I used to cover my arms. I used to be ashamed, but now I have a beautiful story of triumph and overcoming to tell. My scars contribute to my beauty.

You, and the wounds you carry, are very much like those stars we stare at. I would challenge you to think twice about the way you look at your own scars. There can indeed be beauty in devastation.

We don’t look at the stars in the universe and say how tragic they are, how bruised they are, even though that is what they are. We look at them and speak of the beauty they contain. The inspiration they give us.

Even though stars are the scars of the universe, we don’t see them as these broken pieces of gaseous matter. We see them as these majestic, astrological blessings that give hope to billions.

What if you saw yourself in that same light, or better yet what if you saw others in a similar way; beautiful despite…?

Thyself

What does all this stuff have to do with trying to live out the Christian life? Well it begins with you and your dirty laundry no one is allowed to see.

Impacting the world starts with impressing yourself.

In my time in church leadership, I sat quiet while we put more importance on new member’s classes than personal issues.

I saw more marriage classes than sexual addiction classes and from much of my counseling time, the latter was needed a little more.

We are often so afraid to deal with the real issues that face the Christian community and when someone struggling with something explodes, we tend to disown them.

Facing personal demons is pivotal to following Jesus.

The Christian life can’t be enticing till the example of one’s life is inviting. If I want no part of your crazy, hectic, or creepy life, it won’t matter how well you preach or quote the Bible. Being a Christian is about living an inviting example.

Jesus made it clear that loving yourself precedes loving God and others. This is not to say that you are more important, but that loving others and God will be impossible if you don’t love “thyself” first.

I use the word “thyself” for a few reasons. I grew up with the modern Kings James translation of the Bible. I knew and loved it. I now understand some of the inaccuracies and mistranslations in many Bible translations.

‘Thyself’ is you. The real you. The you with all the cracks, scratches, and bandages. If you can’t love that you then you can’t love God and others.

If there isn’t wholeness with ‘thyself’, you may never reach your whole potential.

One of the main reasons people will never love God is because they can’t love themselves.

Some people are so hurt they cannot accept the hurt in others.

Some are so hurt that they can’t perceive a God being hurt for them, because they choose not to see their own hurt.

Jesus didn’t die to save me from God. Jesus died to save me from myself.

It starts with us.

Wounds

A wound is a space for you to find yourself. The wound is an opening to a deeper part of you; a new glimpse of what makes you up.

One of the Hebrew words used for the word “wound” is pronounced “mazowr” and means “to bandage”. This is a great picture to paint; the wound which is often caused from a tragic or hurtful event, is pictured to be this healing thing.

The wound then, is only a temporal mark on your character or body.

This too shall pass. It may be painful, but it will pass. It may have just happened, it may be fresh, but it’s already starting to heal itself.

You, just like those stars, may be a product of hurt. You, just like those stars, may have some scars and wounds, but just as we see those stars as beautiful and inspirational, I’ve learned to look at myself the same way.

I hope you will gaze at your own wounds and scars and see the beauty radiate from them.

I bet others will join you.

Light

I love the phrase, “light of the world.” I do however think it is a little lost on this society. The light of the world isn’t a lamp or light. (Matt 5:14)

What is it that lights up the world? Stars. Stars light up the natural sky and the world around us. Stars would have been the light of the world.

Throughout this chapter we’ve seen the vulnerability within stars, we have also seen how this can relate to us.

In this passage we are given an identity, that of a star. We are the stars (light) of our world, the world around us. I am the light of the world, me in my brokenness, and you in your hurt.

Even with that divorce, even after that situation, you are still the light.

Natural light is different from mechanical light. Natural lights (stars) don’t dim until death, no matter what hits them, despite any pain or loss.

This is the heart of being a follower of Jesus, shining and offering light and beauty, despite any situation that may arise. This isn’t a heavy burden, but a numerous trust.

Being the light of the world is about being a broken, exploding, scarred star, and shining a light of hope and inspiration to everyone around you.

Chapter Two

Go

It’s easy to take part in God; to take a seat every Sunday morning, join classes, and learn the right things to say. What is hard is letting God take part in you; that requires submission, letting go, and giving up. It’s that moment when you give up your entire life that you gain it.

I knew I wanted to be a part of God, but what I didn’t know, is if I wanted God to be a part of me.

The divine. The holy. And me.

I’ve seen the affect God dwelling in people can have on them; pious attitudes, misplaced convictions, and a resentment towards others whom they think aren’t perfect or Godly.

Only when you have no life can you truly know life.

The Bible contains some raw and unfiltered accounts of real men and women trying to come terms with the divine dwelling within them.

What we see isn’t God magically taking over and controlling us like puppets. But rather, we see that God is dwelling within us and empowering everyday people to do extraordinary things.

We witness struggles, racism, fear, unbelief, denying, and more all in the bible. Every mistake, even in the life of a follower of Jesus, is a new opportunity for God to empower you in a new way.

The Latin word for “mistake” is closely related to the word “misstep”. Have you ever missed a step? It can hurt, it can cause a detour, and it can come out of nowhere or because you just didn’t pay attention. But, what happens next?

Do we ever trip or fall and stay down? No. We are naturally inclined to want to get back up.  If you make a mistake or take a misstep keep on going.

There are three dimensions to loving someone. 1.) By loving them, you love God. 2.) In loving this person, you are exposing them to your genuine love for them. 3.) Most importantly, in loving them, you love yourself.

While loving another person, you are loving yourself despite the guilt you are haunted with. You are overcoming that self hate you always feel. In loving this person, you are forgiving yourself for that stuff in the past.

Going

One of the last teachings Jesus left us with is what early church fathers called “The Great Commission”.

“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.”

(Matt 28:19) KJV

One of the beauty’s of the languages used in the bible is the hidden intent behind each word, and even in the context it’s used.

There is so much wisdom in this, and I won’t even bother to go past the first word.

The word “go” here tells us what this command is about. Go, is about not standing still, not sitting, and removing complacency. We should be moving!

Jesus is telling us that there are better things ahead; nothing new happens in old places.

The Greek word “go” in this passage is derived from the word “poreuomai”, and it means “to kill, “remove”, and “let go”. Jesus was giving a philosophy that everyone, young and old, can attest to. Some things, some situations, some habits inside of us, may need to die. One of the insights we can gain from this passage is not solely about movement, but also the need to affect the lives of everyone we come into contact with.

I’ve struggled with alcohol years back, and I can tell you it was alive in me. It wasn’t until I had mentors and help that I was able to kill that alcoholism.

This word “go” was Jesus pointing to the world around them and saying to his disciples, “They are struggling and they are hurting.”

“They are facing real things and they need to get rid of some things.”

Gone.

The human life is centered on movement.

Jesus, in his last few days of life, had different priorities than most would have.

How would you spend your last days? Vacations, theme parks, or relaxing?

What would fill the last days of your life? How would you relieve the culmination of the every breath you’ve ever known since the day of your birth?

We have movies like The Bucket List, which promote popular ideas of getting out, and doing things in the hopes of achieving a satisfaction or relief by accomplishing something.

When I posed this question to a group of adults I had the pleasure of speaking with, the answers varied and had a theme of wanting to accomplish something; a need to achieve or experience something great.

I paused and slowly went down to my knees in front of this group.

I said, “You, in your death, want to go up, do more, achieve more, or make a name.”

“Jesus, in his death, wanted to go lower.”

One of his last encounters that we read of, before his arrest and upcoming crucifixion, is in a house, and where do we find Jesus in this home?

On a dirty floor, on his knees, washing the feet of another human being. (John 13:1-17)

This is the savior of the world in his last moments. His choice was to spend his last day washing the feet of someone who shouldn’t even be worthy of his presence.

The fragility of each moment lies on each decision made. The choice you make today can make or break this moment. Literally.

What will you do today? Indulge in a trip to the mall or take a few hours out and help out that single mother.

We have a choice to wash feet, and put others first or put ourselves first.

Jesus, as our model, gave us a great example we can hope to live by; we have a choice each moment to give of ourselves, even in dire times.

Let me put it this way, you can give of yourself or choose to give into yourself.

Are you interested in going up or down?

Chapter Three

Following

Following Jesus, this Rabbi from Nazareth, was of the utmost importance to these teens and young adults he called disciples, each of whom came from every existence at the time.

Some of these followers left family, some left lovers, others left jobs, and some were rejected by the world around them. These men and women knew what it was like to be unwanted and alone.

At times, we see them exhibit that following Jesus was more important than funerals of family members, more valuable than having any possessions, and more vital than life itself. (Luke 9:61)

Following Jesus was so important to these young men and women that they would neglect everything so that whatever Jesus was doing at the moment would be the one and only focus in their daily life.

I can make that statement fully confident that this was the mindset of many of Jesus’s followers.

I can see that same passion with teens from every denomination in Christianity.

But wait, I can also see the same passion with Buddhist, Muslim, and Mormon followers. It’s limitless. The passion exhibited is something that seems to be universal, and not exclusively tied to Christianity or followers of Jesus. We have even pondered how serial killers and cult leaders could also have similar dedication from their followers.

In fact, we see this passion in music scenes that have risen in the past such as Jazz, Hip-Hop, Hardcore, and more. We have witnessed that all have followers who exhibit similar passion. I believe that Jesus was hoping for a different kind of follower.

In these times of confusion, I love to dive into the wisdom that is the historical writings of Judaism. For me, the wisdom hidden in many early Jewish writings is a daily inspiration and guidance, even more-so, knowing Jesus searched for the same wisdom in his life.

One of the Hebrew words used for following someone in the Torah, which is the name for some of the Jewish scriptures or the Christian Old Testament, means “to follow after and carry something”.

This is insightful and easy to pass over, as with much wisdom that presents itself in life.

When they spoke of following someone, it didn’t stop with following after someone, but they insisted something would have to be carried. Following was not just about walking after someone.

The illustration we are beginning to see from this definition is that if someone follows a person or idea, they begin to carry what they are following or they begin to carry something of what the person they are following carries.

Let me explain it this way. I was into the Goth scene in school; not by choice, more for friends. I really didn’t like the Goth kids much more, but they seemed more genuine.

After a few years of hanging out with the Goth crowd, I noticed most of their traits and interests were the same.

I noticed what had happened to many of these kids; it was the music and the scene, it influenced them without them being aware of it.

As a group they began listening and watching these bands, whether it was Slipknot, Marilyn Manson, or another, and these kids began to carry the same passion, angst, and anger the singers had.

We can see this trend with speakers, activists, and pastors.

Often stunned, we ask the repetitive questions when a tragedy claims the lives of many, because they all put so much trust in the words of one person, but as we discover… it’s not the words.

These unsuspecting and trusting men and women begin to carry the same things this other person was carrying.

Activists, writers, and poets have followers who carry the same flame and passion they might write or speak about; while this is such a blessing, it is also a huge responsibility.

The Christian journey, as it has evolved, has also changed in its idea of what being a follower of Jesus really means.

I mean this not as an insult, but an accountable observation. In our western churches, it’s often rare to see a church take place in a public place or common area.

Padded pews were a luxury to the Jesus follower of the past. We now have booming mega churches, media software that out-does most organizations, church brand coffee, bands that are composed of award winning musicians, and sound systems that put arenas to shame.

Is this what Jesus had in mind when he said, “Come follow me”?

My focus here is not on the material aspects of the Christian life but are we carrying the same passion and call that Jesus did when he walked the earth? Is his burden our burden?

Are you following Jesus empty handed?

The sense of the church today is often very relaxed and comfortable.

The modern gospel is often perceived to have little to do with human rights issues, global worries, the starving, the widows, the poor, the addicts, and homeless… the list could go on. From what most outsiders see, the church isn’t concerned with anything other than private lives, moral issues, and lifestyle choices.

Those outside the church are looking at us and asking, “Are you living like Jesus?”

We inside the church are pointing back and telling those outside that they aren’t living like Jesus.

I would use my version of that question based on the revelation earlier, and I would like to ask… Are you carrying what Jesus carried?

The Jesus we follow carried the poor, the widows, the children, the broken, the homeless, and hungry.

Are you carrying what he carried? If not, then you might not be following him. If you’re following Jesus and your hands are empty, you may not be following Jesus, you may be trying to lead.

Even with the best intentions and love for Jesus, we can follow the job, the people, the media, the excitement, or the growth. It happens to the best and worst, but Jesus continually encourages us to carry our cross, keep our hands full, and be burdened for what he is burdened for.

Following Jesus isn’t all about walking, but carrying the same things he carried.

What are you carrying today?

Are you only carrying the poor, confused, and hurt when it’s convenient? Are the hungry only on your mind when you are giving an offering at church?

If you are a follower of Jesus, my question to you is not how your walk is, but how full are your hands?

Leading

We talked about what it really means to follow, and following holds more than just walking after someone or even just walking in their footsteps… it has to do with carrying what they are carrying.

Father’s Day just passed here. It’s always a hard day for me. I have kids, and I appreciate them taking a day to say thanks.

Since my early days in church, I’ve often been told that I had to relate to God as a father. I just couldn’t…

See, I never knew my father, he caused my mother horrible pain and left our family to fend for ourselves, which propelled us into deeper poverty and depression.

Amongst the constant struggle just for daily food, and hoping for shelter in the coming months as bills piled up, in church I was told to pray to God, my ABBA father.

That word ABBA was foreign to me. Not in the sense of the definition; I just didn’t know what it looked like in human form. In my mind I didn’t see much of a difference between God and a deadbeat father.

Over the past decade, my thoughts have changed. Now I want to share with you some insight about real fathers.

I hate to disappoint you, but this won’t be specifically tied to God being our father, I think he has a different message for you today.

One of the Hebraic words for Father is pronounced “aman”.

The definition beautifully brings to mind the perfect expression of what a father is and can be.

The definition for the Hebrew word for father is “one who offers his right hand”.

This word “father” here is more than a person who works, provides and loves. This word father is about a person who seeks to lead, guide and walk with you.

I’ve never had a father, but I have been very blessed in my childhood to have had many men and women come into my life and lead me, and take my hand while on this spiritual journey and this life journey.

My hope is that on this day, when we celebrate fathers, we include those mentors, spiritual fathers, and all who have had a hand in leading someone.

I am convinced that God loves puns when I read through the Bible. The Hebrew word used for father is “aman”… or as our English eyes might see it, ‘a man’. A man is someone who leads. A man is an example. A man is a guide.

Whether a leader or a follower, are your hands full? Are you guiding someone in your life to the things of God?

Are you a follower or a carrier?

Chapter Four

Compassion

When An Emerging Spirituality was released, I received a few emails about my view on popular beliefs and controversial topics. While on the subject of ministry, witnessing, and evangelism I couldn’t find peace with any of the current methods. That is not to say I thought of them as wrong, but often ineffective and misunderstood. I don’t think we need to find a new belief, but a new way to understand our current beliefs.

I wanted to include a teaching in An Emerging Spirituality, but it just didn’t work with the text. As I traveled to promote the new release and speak at churches and events, I used this specific teaching to gauge how people reacted to it since I was so blown away at what God spoke and the excitement it caused. Now I want to share this insight with you.

Ministry. Evangelism.

We come up with these Christian-ese terms because we just don’t have relationships with the community around us.

We have to come up with fancy words to describe what we should be doing already. Instead of loving we call it being Christ-like. Instead of serving we call it outreach. It can often be hard to say negative things about these terms because so much good is done within them. However, they are an often idolized and a perverse substitute for just doing what should be natural acts.

We wouldn’t have to offer Thanksgiving meals at our church lunchrooms, because we wouldn’t want those we love and consider family to be anywhere else, but with us at our table.

Relationships

I’m often amazed at the love in churches across the country. I have still never felt more welcomed when stepping into an old southern Baptist church.

I’ve learned from the church atmosphere, since my early teens, how close one can feel to people who are not necessarily related to you. I didn’t have much family, but I’ve had much love shown to me by strangers in the church. I am not blind to the fact that this is not the experience of all who are in the church.

Let’s talk about ministry. Ministry often comes back to a type of relationship being developed. This is why even our association with Christ is, at its very core, designed and often explained as a relationship. So, we have gained the term “relationship with Christ.” I was fortunate to attend a seminar on worship, and the speakers constantly defined worship as a relationship. Relationships are central to living out an inviting example. I love that the writer of the book of Hebrews sternly urges us to not “forsake the assembling…” This is not nessisarly about church but about authentic relationships.

Compassion is used throughout our culture to indicate a need to help, care, or provide which are all good things.

While there is nothing wrong with these intentions, they are often limiting and can become dry and robotic. I’m sure most of us have been there. God doesn’t just call us to just show love, but to love radically and intentionally.

Change can often be the biggest personal obstacle you overcome.

Courage is having the strength to stand up to yourself.

Our response to worldwide natural disasters is to donate. In this digital age, we can donate by clicking one button on our phone or computers. So, instead of being driven by a strong desire to experience the destruction physically or emotionally with these people, we act as digital strangers, throwing change in the direction of those we have no feelings for, all with the push of a button.

I think compassion and ministry were meant for more than just random pantry work and blind donations.

It’s so impersonal to walk down a street and drop some change in a cup, or to hand a dollar to someone without even knowing their name.

As I often say, I think God meant it for more. We were designed for relationships. We were designed to know each other on a level only God could explain.

The Hebrew word for “compassion” is (racham) and means to fondle.

When we think of the word “fondle”, it often conjures up images of lovers who can’t keep their hands off of each other.

Fondle is not necessarily a bad word and it’s not only a sexual intention, but the definition of the word definitely encourages a bit of intimacy that can’t be described by words like “hug”, “shake”, or “kiss”.

So now, when we look at compassion we can go beyond our giving or serving, and begin a relationship with people.

He will no longer be the man under the north-end bridge; he will be John, the artist.

She will no longer be the shaking young lady asking for change, she is Jane, the single mother who has been dealt a bad hand.

Instead of throwing change robotically in the direction of people in need, we are to develop real, deep relationships with these precious men and women.

When you are in a relationship with people, support, prayer, and giving will naturally come.

This word, which is often used in the Bible to describe compassion, is about reaching a new level of intimacy with a stranger and person in need.

Now, we have a new charge; not to live like we always have, simply giving change, working at food banks, and inviting others to church. Not that any of that is bad, but it’s not the complete picture.

Our charge is to love, give, and serve compassionately, or as we’ve learned, in a more intimate way. Our commission from Jesus is to carry what he carried, to burden for what he was burdened for, and to have our hearts burn for what his does.

How will you begin to love compassionately?

Will you no longer love from a distance?

I pray that each of us, including myself, can begin revolutionary relationships with all of those around us.

Chapter Five

Community and communion

In our westernized, yet ironically individualistic culture, we have been taught since our infant days that sharing, friends, and groups are the most important things in life.

We don’t encourage children to walk their own unique journey. We teach our kids to hand over a toy that might teach them a skill that they will flourish in later on, all for the sake of sharing. We teach our kids to avoid time alone that might enrich the soul and build talents, so that they can play dodge ball and tag in a group. The fear of our kids becoming anti-social has clouded the growth of an individual and unique life. The fear of raising a loner, outcast, or outsider has scared parents into indoctrinating kids with ideas that solidarity and individuality are bad things.

The issue here is when you give in to the group or community mentality, you have to adopt ideas and adapt to trends which cause you to lose your individual and original thoughts.

Christianity cannot be played out in community. This may rub some the wrong way at first, but allow me to elaborate on it in this chapter. The Christian journey cannot be walked as a community. However, Christianity can be practiced while in communion with others of the same or various beliefs.

The Christian life cannot be lived in community, but it can be lived with community; walking along side others on a similar journey, offering and sharing.

Christianity is not a communal journey, it’s an individual journey. No two journeys are alike and every journey lends something to the other; this is the heart of true discipleship.

The Jewish people used the word “holy” in dealing with similar subject matter.

Holy in the modern sense has become a standard or leagalism to live up to.

Holy in the Hebrew language is Qadash and means “to be set apart”. Often, this is taken as a spiritual piety or holier than thou attitude. However, this is more about you being set apart from everyone. Being holy is a celebration of being an individual; a divinely created character that is like no other. See, holy is not a standard… it is a celebration of who you are.

Holy does not mean you are better or without fault, holy means you are unique.

All those bad traits, the doubt, the hurt, it doesn’t exclude holiness, it all exemplifies and exults the holiness of God within you.

Why?

Simple. You are unique. You are one of a kind. You are an individual.

Now, there is no more wrong or right. No more, “You have to live up to my spiritual example.” because it is understood that the Christian life should be holy, meaning each spiritual life is different.

When we lose our group standards, and kill false expectations, growth happens. Individuality is to be encouraged, not feared. Along with individuality comes the opportunity for failure and doubt, and those also do not need to be feared.

Now we embrace our fears, encourage our doubts, and celebrate our questions, because this is my journey; no one is living it but me. It is holy.

This is what Paul meant by, “There is no condemnation for them in Christ.” Those “in Christ” are holy, they are separated, they are individuals and they are like no other. For them, and you, there cannot be any blame or disapproval, because they are being them, you are being you. No two journeys alike.

You can’t condemn my journey because we are on two different paths. We are not practicing our faith in community anymore, we are practicing with a community. You don’t speak for me; you speak with me.

Practicing faith in a community can be dangerous, it means adopting others ideas and being held down to their boundaries and limits.

Practicing faith with a community is beneficial because it offers wisdom, not absolutes. This kind of practice offers an accountability and assistance while practicing faith in a community brings guilt, shame, and a standard you can’t live up to.

In Genesis, we see a God who comes back, who left. A God who gave power to the Earth to create, sustain and produce, and gave power to the animals and man to live, create and reproduce.

If God had been present all the time in Eden, then he wouldn’t have said Adam was alone without Eve. (Gen 2:18)

Eden was about Adam or God and His relationship with Adam. Living in Eden was Adam’s opportunity to live and grow. God placed Adam in an environment that was already moving and busy with progression. Life existed, and Adam was thrown right in the middle, much like how you and I are placed in an already moving world. So we can gain much knowledge with Adam and his spiritual journey.

Adam was beginning his spiritual journey, and there is nothing more beautiful than watching a spiritual life go forth.

Jesus promoted this same example of leaving to let spirituality grow that we saw in Genesis with God. In the beginning of Acts, we see Jesus in his last days on earth and he is leaving his followers.

What? He’s leaving? Right now? The church is about to face some of its biggest hurdles, his present and future followers are going to suffer immensely for his teachings, and he’s leaving!

If God had been present all the time in Eden, then he wouldn’t have said Adam was alone without Eve. (Gen 2:18)

He left the movement in the hands of men and women who betrayed, denied, and forgot him.

Even in his earthly ministry, we see Jesus seemingly abandoning his disciples at times. He, himself said that he sent his fresh, unlearned, and helpless disciples, who resembled sheep, and who were probably in their teens, among what he called ‘wolves’; a society that would figuratively eat them alive.

What we learn from this is that it’s essential for living the Christian life to experiance turmoil. To Jesus, the Christian life wasn’t about being perfect, but about being perfected.

The spiritual life had to be walked out, not achieved. It was a journey, not a destination.

This is the opposite approach to what we have today in churches. Our idea of beginning a spiritual journey with Jesus is discipleship, apologetics, and conferences.

Churches seem to have the general belief that growth is encouraged by knowledge. The example of Jesus says growth is encouraged by experience and living. Spirituality is grown by living.

Walking out your journey with this Jesus is the only way you can reach spiritual maturity.

Your footsteps will have more to say about your spiritual life than the information attained.

There is a moment from the life of Mahatma Gandhi while on a speaking tour across India, as a part of his non-violent struggle for independence from the British.

At that time, the only affordable long distance mode of travel across the country was by railway. When white passengers did not fill the train, the British Rail company would allow other races to ride the train, but would not let them board in the same fashion as the white passengers. The ethnic passenger’s fare would help offset expense and help with decreasing profits.

The Rail Company would force the ethnic passengers to run on the tracks and hop on the back of the train just to stand in the back. This was an injustice Gandhi fought to change. Train tracks were, and still are, a road of travel for the homeless, marginalized, and the criminal.

Gandhi, while traveling, was attempting to catch a train; as an ethnic man, we find him running to get on this train. As Mahatma Gandhi jumped to get on the back of the train to board with the other passengers, a shoe fell off his foot and hit the ground. He reached out to save the shoe from getting away, but his attempt was unsuccessful.

Immediately Gandhi, while still holding on to the back safety railings of the train, began to take off his one remaining shoe and throw it in the same direction as his previously plummeted shoe.

When approached by friends and passengers about the incident, first thoughts were that Gandhi had lost his mind. However, that was not the case, and Gandhi said of the incident that, “At least if a poor person finds his way across my shoe, he will come across its mate and end up with a good pair of shoes.”

I encourage you to get rid of your shoes, and begin to ask yourself, “What do my footsteps say about me?”

What are you going to do with your shoes? Will you keep them on and stay in your comfort zone or take them off and experience the rocky roads of life?

Chapter Six

Barefoot

Years ago as a teen, I was asked to lead a bible study in a very relaxed home setting. The members of this group would include the pastor’s family, the worship leader, and many of the elders in the church.

The opening night, I had a game planned that would help the group get to know each member. Halfway through the game, we were joined by an unfamiliar face.

An older woman slowly stumbled in. Struggling to catch her step and her breath alike, she slowly said, “I was invited to join you fine people tonight.”

I smiled at her vast wisdom, and her many unintentionally rude remarks. She reminded me of my mother who speaks the truth in wisdom even if it hurts.

None of this bothered me as much as her feet being as naked as a newborn and the cool northern air breezing in.

At the end of the night, tears were falling, handshakes and fellowship continued for the next hour. I asked this woman to walk with me outside, and I remember her response with some humor now, “Boy this better be good, don’t you see I got no shoes on!”

I loved this woman after that response!

I asked, “So, what’s with not wearing any shoes? It’s a chilly night.”

She began with a beautiful, timeless southern flair, “Well, hunny…”

She went on to explain that from what she read in the Bible, for God to connect with her she had to lose her shoes.

I was confused, and I asked, “So, not wearing shoes makes you holy or pleases God?”

She answered, “Well, yes.”

The conversation soon ended, but stayed with me for years. I personally, now, am convinced that losing shoes in the Bible is more about us connecting with God than God connecting with us. But whether or not I agree theologiclly with her, I love the beauty and her willingness to experiance the rough ground of life to connect with God.

I’ll take a moment and explain what I mean by the word barefoot and how I will be using it throughout the book.

Losing our shoes is a metaphorical way of exposing your humanity before the divine. Your Christianity must be big enough for your humanity. If your shoes cannot come off, your feet will never feel the ground you’re walking on.

Divinity is my passion; humanity is my duty.

The more exposed we are when we come to God, the more God can expose to us.

The man who has everything is a man who has nothing. The man who has nothing has a chance everyday to come a little closer to finding the next thing in his life. I often say it like this, once you know, you know no more.

That lady, who wandered in with her bare feet to talk about the “lourwd”, unknowingly changed my journey with God and how I saw myself and others.

That night I laid down in prayer, took off my sandals, and began a new type of journey with God; one of humility and brokenness, one that did not focus on my strengths and abilities. I no longer held high success and achievements. I was learning a new lesson.

I woke up last night, put my sandals on. I opened the door to the wind greeting me like an old friend. I began to walk down the road, talking to myself and God; I had a sense of something so much bigger than just me. I kneeled down and put my shoes aside. Just like that woman, my feet clutched that road tight that night as naked as a newborn, and my heart as open to the journey ahead as my feet were.

Five years after my encounter with that woman at the Bible study, four years after I gave up church, and all that I thought I knew about spirituality; I am beginning a new journey with God… one that is raw, open and unprotected.

More than Shoes

In many cultures, going barefoot is inevitable. The western world has been privileged to call shoes the norm. Despite a few personal occasions in which I experienced poverty and a lack of shelter, which I wouldn’t wish upon anyone, shoes have been the typical covering for my feet. During my years residing in South Florida, my feet were often covered using a great tool called the flip-flop; whose name had to derive from its constant, infuriating sound when in motion, but hey, that’s just my opinion.

Historians believe, that in early eastern cultures shoes were worn only by the wealthy, privileged, and those high in social class. The poor and lower class would have worn make-shift sandals, sole patches, or in many cases nothing.

The same is believed for Biblical times. Not wearing shoes would have been a high indicator of your social class, standing, and wealth or more accurately your lack of a social standing, poverty, and health.

Taking off ones shoes would have been an act of humility. It wasn’t about worship, it was about exposing yourself. It was about setting aside comfort and status and completely exposing yourself in the prescence of something bigger than you.

“Take off your shoes”, was a common phrase in Biblical times.

Contrary to popular belief, I don’t think taking off our shoes has much to do with God. I would argue that it was more about us.

Taking off our shoes means uncovering. Uncovering your social status, exposing brokenness, and celebrating poverty in the presence of God; being human while embracing the divine. Isn’t that what worship is about? Isn’t that what ministry should be about? Barefoot Christianity is about being human while embracing the divine. Chasing after God while holding my doubt high, not in pride or arrogance, but in humility and openness to completely express my humanity and God’s divine intervention. Divinity is my passion, humanity is my duty.

Losing the shoes was the equivalent of coming just as you are and laying it all on the table, being naked; naked before a Holy God.

Losing one’s shoes in the presence of the divine wasn’t about a type of standing in front of God, but losing your standing, abandoning your right answers, and escaping any box we might be in.

Being barefoot in the presence of God wasn’t necessary for God, but for us. It was a necessity for us to lay aside our political affiliations, put away our judgments, and lose all sense of self worth to fully experience the presence of God.

What if every church embraced the concept of a barefoot Christianity? Would we witness a church that didn’t claim to have all the answers but humbly said, “Let’s find them together,”?

What if the church was known for its humility and its self-sacrificing nature?

Losing your shoes was a way of dying; losing your human nature and setting aside your agenda. What if we could mirror that today?

Dying

Jesus didn’t want his death to be the center of the Christian faith; he wanted our death to be the focus.

Me giving up my life for a stranger.

A woman aiding an elderly widow.

A man being a spiritual father to the fatherless young man in his life.

Death is often viewed as a completion or an ending. However, this is not the case.

See, death has a nasty reputation, but the truth is, death often leads to life. Death is a rebirth of potential and opportunity. Death is a giving of myself in a way that builds someone else. Death is no longer an end, but a commencement of opportunity.

The only way to profit from life is to die.

Every selfless action is a step towards death, and away from a selfish, individualistic living.

Steps

When you take that first step, change is not a possibility; it’s a certainty. Change is something that we can no longer fear… future means forward and forward means change. Moving forward always equals a progressing of thoughts, a moving of surroundings. New thoughts, new insights, and new inspiration from God are results of one step.

Marriage, relationships, friendships, degrees, careers; all are results of just one step. The simple fact that you took one step into that coffee place where you met him. Since you stepped one step into that administration office, you started your path into that new career. Every decision, triumph and pitfall has come into your life because of one step you took.

One step taken is the beginning of a new direction.

Are you ready to take that next step?

Chapter Seven

Steps

A step is often underestimated. It seems so simple and constant that we begin to pass over the significance of each step coming and even the after effects of that step. Repercussions are rarely considered when taking a step. A step taken is often the least thought about move we make all day, but the most consequential.

It is a step that takes us into that storefront we might one day own. It is a step that connects you to your lifetime partner. It is a step that will begin your journey into your career. It is that step that leads that dance that still brings you to tears.

That simple step, that tiny seemingly insignificant step, is the tipping point to a greater moment.

Mathematicians believe the average person (one who commutes in a vehicle) takes from 5,000 to 8,000 steps in each day.

During those 5,000 to 8,000 steps, we walk into trouble, triumph and tears. This half a second move of the foot in a forward motion can bring you into a better life or help usher you into a bad situation.

We speak little about the steps that bring us closer to a better life or a life of hardship, but unmistakably it is the biggest part of each of our days.

In a lifetime, it is estimated that the average person takes somewhere near 136,875,000 steps. In those steps, it’s decided to fail or succeed. In those steps lie the courage to take another step and another.

Your journey begins with the step you take not the words you say.

Your journey will be defined by the steps you take not the words you say or the things you believe. I can firmly say that a change will be ushered in through a single step in a new direction. All it will take is a step to begin.

In church we often talk about the miracles that biblical men and woman experienced, but very few times do we speak about the steps that were taken to that miracle.

Oh sure, we have doctors, psychologist, and ministers who talk about the steps needed to achieve dreams, wealth, and blessings, but they are not talking about the physical steps.

Zacchaeus took a step to a savior he believed offered a new life of peace for his unsettled guilty heart.

A woman with an issue of blood, took a step, when all around her failed her and condemned her to a weary existence. She took a step, just one step of faith, into something that could have for all possible reasoning, failed her just as everything else had before. Even so, she took a step.

Peter, in a life threatening situation, made a choice. Not a choice of trust, not of faith, but a choice to take a step; a simple step, a step out onto the waters.

Jesus, himself, even took a step; not a step we would want to take. Jesus took a self-sacrificing step into the garden called Gethsemane. This step was a humble step that would lead to his death.

Each of the disciples made a pivotal decision; this wasn’t a decision to give money, start a religion, or help people. The tough decision they each made was to follow; to take the first step in a new direction.

We can easily forget that the disciples each began with a step. Each young man began their journey following after this Jesus by taking a new step, a step in a new direction, a step in a new type of movement.

Faith is taking that first step. Faith is not in planning the next step, but in taking the next step.

Views

Direction is an odd thing. The direction of a situation offers a completely different perspective of a situation.

Chaos and disorder can be on one side of the street. However, across the street can be an entirely dissimilar view of an exactly identical and hectic situation. It’s not a new situation, but a new perspective.

I came to this reality in a very personal way while sitting in a group at the home of a friend. Around the circle, we begin discussing dates that meant something personal or special to us. I and another in the group had the same date. This date to me offered acceptance and hope; it was a day of love. For him, it offered a completely different view; that day was occupied with destruction and heartbreak.

That instance to me was an eye opening moment; I had not previously thought of how two people in similar parts of town could experience two completely different days on the same day.

In one moment, Peter, a disciple of Jesus, hears a voice calling out his name. Water shoving its way into his mouth; rain hitting his head so fierce that he thinks he just might not make it through. Faintly, his ears are overcome by the sound of hope calling out his name from inside the boat.

We’ve played over this scenario many times in Christendom; the picture is carved onto Bibles, and painted by some of the greatest artist. Some of the greatest sermons and literary works were carved in Christian History by men of God searching into the heart of this passage.

We are always caught into this moment with Peter as he fell into the water fearing for his life, calling out the name of one of his best friends, Jesus.

I know what you’re thinking. This story seems oddly familiar. However, despite the over-publicized doubt of Peter I honestly believe that we all have faced this moment; a moment of uncertainty, a moment of doubt, or a time when the storm was more powerful than you anticipated.

I think it’s important to note the whereabouts of Jesus during Peter’s life crisis. Jesus is with him. Jesus is in the midst of this storm. The savior is on the water, in a place of exposure and vulnerability. He is there in our mess, in the middle of our storm. His Glory is intercepting our humanity, writing on our heart, “Here lies Jesus.”

Is there a better story?

This is incredible. It’s life-changing. It’s mind-boggling.

Jesus is standing with Peter despite the trouble. When all your friends run scared or when everyone has a bad word for you, remember he is in the midst of that storm with you.

The word Glory in the Hebraic language is often translated Kavod or Kabod and is translated “weight”. Theologians and writers often focus on how Kavod—that weighty Glory—is God’s presence during occasions when he interacts with mankind.

Glory cannot be contained nor can it be limited. The weighty Glory is not something we can only experience in prayer and worship. This weight, the weight of his Glory is a result of direct interaction between you and God.

Have you ever had a breathless feeling?

You knew the words, but couldn’t get them out, or perhaps a moment of fear? Perhaps it is a moment unspeakable joy?

That’s Glory.

At that moment, God’s Glory has rested upon you with such weight that you can’t even speak. Church isn’t the only place we can experience God and his Glory.

Listen to how people express themselves when they’ve experienced an extreme activity or have seen a beautiful expression of Glory:

“I’ve never felt so alive.”

“I can’t put it into words.”

“It was so beautiful, I feel like God touched the event.”

We can have these moments to experience God’s Glory during these good and amazing moments, but we can also experience God’s Glory on a boat in the middle of a storm. The beautiful revelation we gain is that God is still in the midst of the storm with us.

As we have seen, one of the main words used for Glory is Kavod and is often translated weight or weightiness. While we can often attribute this conversation to God and his majesty, I’d like to go in a new direction. Often weight in Eastern culture paired with responsibility.

With an awareness of God’s Glory comes great responsibility. A responsibility to respond and a responsibility to react are essential when in the presence of God.

Whenever you experience that feeling of anxiety or happiness, fret not. God is near. In the middle of that problem, in the middle of that storm, remember he will stand with you.

Chapter Eight

Admat kodesh

“Shal Naalechah me’ al raglecha, ki hamakom asher atah omed, admat kodesh hu.”

“Take off your shoes from your feet, for the place wherein you stand is holy ground.”

Exodus 3:5

The taking off of shoes in the Jewish, Christian, and Muslim traditions is mind boggling to some. In many instances of holiness we are to cover our head and loose our shoes from our feet. As a sign of respect, we remove our shoes when walking into homes, meals, and special occasions but we observe the same exact ritual for the Everlasting God?

To me this isn’t as simple as someone saying, “God is here, take ‘em off!”

What is this Holy Ground, and what makes Holy Ground different than the normal paths traveled?

Why would Moses or Joshua experience walking on this Holy Ground and not Adam or Abraham?

Why did they struggle with the same things, even after they experienced walking on this Holy Ground?

The place

The key is in the original Hebrew. The scriptures say that “the place, is Holy Ground.”

We have to remember that “the place” is a name for God; in Hebrew pronounced Hamakom.

This specific encounter can be translated as saying that where God was, was ground that had a Holiness to be experienced. There was nothing special about that moment.

The myth here is that God was “visiting” this specific place. In reality, God was reminding them that in this place was a moment wherein they could experience him if they became vulnerable or open to God revealing himself through things we’d never associate with him.

God isn’t visiting us, we are just now aware of his presence.

The world is full of holy ground. Scratch that; the world is a holy ground waiting to be experienced.

That’s why a simple act like going to a park, a museum, or a special space of land can be such a Holy experience.

The world isn’t full of limited places where we can experience God.

Once we open ourselves to the reality that God is in everything and every place, awaiting his Glory to be experienced in that moment and that specific way, we will no longer wait for God, but will become overwhelmed with the presence of God everywhere we go.

This is why David said in Psalm 139 Verse 7, “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I go from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there…”

Taking your shoes off is a metaphor for opening yourself up to the possibility of experiencing God in this very moment.

Yes, even that moment of anger. Yes, even through that divorce. Oh, and even in that place where you might not agree with what’s going on.

A beautiful hidden truth about the Bible is that it’s a wonderful record of how God keeps showing up in places we’d never expect.

The Bible is a humbling record of how God continually shows up with company we’d never expect; including each one of us.

Taking off our shoes is not an acclimation of God’s Glory in this specific moment or some special place or some anointed person. Taking off our shoes becomes an appreciation and acknowledgement of God’s Glory in everything, and the awareness of what God has been doing all along.

Seasons

Jesus, while on a journey with his disciples out of the region of Bethany, stopped with his disciples. Confusion set in amongst them.

This moment seemed like a moment when a great truth would be offered by the Son of God. They were hungry, the day was early, and the events of yesterday still reigned with each of the disciples; it was an exciting day. So, the anticipation was building. What great truth would Jesus offer us today from God?

But, it wasn’t in the midst of a Synagogue.

They weren’t in the center of a great religious debate.

It was a road.

An outwardly empty road.

A seemingly insignificant path with flourishing nature to admire; streets of soil.

Jesus kneeled down and steered attention to a fig tree. Close to his death, the month would have been the Hebrew month of Nisan (March-April on our modern calendar); the beginning of the Jewish year and the preparing of Passover. The fruit on the fig plant was not to be yet formed. Jesus told his disciples to look at this fig tree… it had leaves, it was on schedule, but held no fruit.

Jesus cursed this fig tree for not bearing fruit even in a season and atmosphere where it naturally did not bear fruit.

Many have offered commentary on this occasion described in these few moments; I’d like to offer mine.

I don’t think this passage can be strictly used to condemn one not growing or offering substance which can be evident of one’s true intent. I don’t think this is speaking metaphorically to our spiritual growth.

I don’t even think this scripture should be used to speak to those who may not be exhibiting the “fruits” or evidence of being a Christian.

One central place of agreement in this is that the fig tree is a visual example of us.

I believe we can look at this passage of insight, and find comfort for those moments when life is shifting, things are changing, and the world around us is progressing. It may be a new season. We may not be comfortable, but we need to offer some kind of fruit.

If we don’t offer any sustenance in moments of pain, heartache, and drought in our lives then we can’t grow. Likewise, if we don’t offer any substance from our growth even in seasons of famine then we may be suffocating in our spiritual lives.

This moment, and what he is using the fig tree to illustrate, is about making the best of every situation. Being a Christian is about embracing the salvation; the health, restoration and hope in every situation and season of your life.

Chapter Nine

Brown Bagging It

I want to share a spiritual principal with you that will apply to everything, every aspect and situation on your spiritual journey.

Ready?

The lunch you pack today will feed others tomorrow.

I guess I should probably elaborate a little more. Often, in this Facebook and Twitter generation, we can become so wrapped up in our own lives that we believe the lie that our lives our solely about us.

In years past, we faced a similar yet slightly different stigma. My mother’s generation focused a little more on protesting and legislation. So, the question they often faced was, “Can I really make a difference?”

Now, you and I are adding more specifics to these questions in our day and age. We live under a microscope called technology; even game systems are now connected with user profiles and double as social networking sites. We are experiencing one of the most informative and technological generations ever. Now, the new questions pile up for you and I, “Does what I eat matter to the environment? Is what I am doing at this moment affecting anyone besides myself?”

We are filled with all these questions asking if little ‘ole me or you can have a positive or negative effect on anything besides things that directly concern “my” life.

One of the most popular, frequently taught stories from the Bible is the feeding of the 5,000, which is a miracle in itself for anyone who has planned a family meal. A common misconception about this story is the total number of individuals present at the feeding. Historians and scholars agree that the number of the 5,000 only describe the men present that day. We then have to stop and include the women, animals and children (which could easily put the number around 20,000 that day).

Often times, we can make the mistake of looking at a scripture or biblical event solely as a miracle rather than a statement.

This event, I believe, was not just a miracle of provision. It was a statement of the power of a packed lunch. There was something meant to be noticed in this story.

This occasion is the first big scene Jesus made in his ministry. We read of him specifically leaving areas due to the crowds, but with this crowd he needed to make a statement and so he embraced them.

The distinction of the number of involved individuals in this event is what sets this moment apart from every other event in the ministry of Jesus. This isn’t like the encounter with Mary, Blind Bartimaeus, or the man from Gadara. This one occasion would speak the tangible love of God to thousands, and offer hidden wisdom to millions for years to come.

Before this miracle, we see Jesus primarily providing smaller blessings to groups such as the small wedding in Cana and speaking one on one with individuals such as the woman at the well and Nicodemus. This is one of the most interesting miracles we see Jesus perform.

A Brown Bag

Obviously when I speak of a bagged lunch I am referring to something more than Mom’s PB&J and the healthy snacks she would pack in that brown paper bag for a meal.

I want to use the bagged lunch as a metaphor for something we can give to God and something we can offer to the world around us.

This whole event transpired this exact way due to someone, a child, packing a lunch and having leftovers.

There is beauty in this story; it is simple, yet profound because the lunch of one effected more than himself.

Do you ever think in a million years that your lunch would have such a big impact on anyone besides yourself?

Well I’m sure this kid didn’t, either!

What do you have in your life that is so small, so forgotten, and so insignificant? God is showing us no matter how small, he can touch a multitude.

I’m also sure this child didn’t pray to God to see what to pack that day, and God spoke and said to have this meal prepared because it would be needed.

This is a story about God using an unintentional, small, mundane, and even insignificant part of a day to change the lives of thousands.

How, then, could God use your morning coffees, driving to work or even your packed lunch sitting in your cubicle?

This isn’t a story about a Godly person playing a part by being obedient to the leading of the spirit to pack a lunch to touch thousands. There was no word from God. This was not an earthquake, lighting, and great visitation of God moment.

This is a story for the rest of us.

Those who don’t always ask God what to do. Those who forget to pray. Those who may not feel led by the spirit every minute of the day.

This is a story about the everyday revolutionaries, the momentary radicals, the ordinary weaklings who God can use despite our pitfalls and shortcomings.

This is God saying, I want to use you.

Chapter Ten

Footprints

Your footprints do not simply tell where you’ve been, but the impact you’ve had.

I often think of the impact I’ve had after I do anything. After a trip from Starbucks I tend to re-run the encounter in my head and ponder what kind of impact I just had. What did I leave with the barista? What did this waiter get from me besides a tip?

After a decade in the customer service industry, I often review myself as a customer and how I held up.

One thing we witness of Jesus is his ability to leave a lasting impact. I often like to read the Bible and see what happened next in the lives of those Jesus came into contact with.

Jesus didn’t judge his footsteps by the number, but by the depth.

Invited into the busy, bustling house of Mary and Martha, Jesus causes a stir before he even steps foot in the house, and leaves a revolutionized purpose.

In the house of Zacchaeus, he left a wholeness that was never known in that house before.

In an instance where we see a few steps of a conversation that should have been filled with racial tension, instead was filled with powerful transformation; all of which took place at a well with a woman who was just there for some water.

This can give us some great ideas to live by, the aftermath is often the key to transformation.

The majority of transforming moments in our lives will happen after we read a book, have a conversation with someone, or after a major event happens in our life. What’s next in your life?

Next

“Next” is a powerful word. The word “next” in the Hebrew language is the word qarowb which means “near”. Yes, distant, but the picture we are given in the Hebrew definition is to be within arm’s reach.

The next move in your life might just be a step away. It might just be an encounter away. Your next great moment may just be within an arm’s reach.

We often wonder what’s next in life for us, not in anticipation of the doors about to open and possibilities beginning, but in fear of how long these expected doors might take to open. It can be hell in the hallway when a door has been closed.

As a kid, I often said there are way too many clouds before the sun shines.

The Hebrew word “next” is defined as “near” and accompanied by a root with a visual of being within arm’s reach. The next moment in your life is a step away. It’s so easy to just stop and seclude ourselves from the world around us when we get hurt or something bad happens.

Look at how many of your relationships have begun just with one word, one glance, one interaction.

What if the next great moment of your life was just waiting for a step in the right direction?

Balance

Life is like a balance beam. It’s so hard to find that balance in life that can help bring a content feeling.

I remember walking across the edge of a sidewalk and desperately trying to keep my balance to reach the end with some young children I mentored at the time.

While most could get all the way across, a few of the kids and I had trouble getting a few steps in without toppling to the side.

My thought was that it was inevitable for the wind to blow or for me to lose my balance somehow. I had a lot of excuses!

Frustrated, a boy, named Zach, yelled, “Don’t stop! That’s when you’ll fall.”

How right he was! I straightened my feet and sped across that thin surface and just as quick, it was over. I made it! My joy rivaled a teen at a boy band concert.

Life is very much like that edge of a sidewalk or a beam that we try to walk, it will offer us many chances to fall, and it always promises to hurt. We can’t control the circumstances while walking through life, but we can control how we react to those situations.

Just as falling can be inevitable when balance cannot be maintained, balance cannot be achieved when motion has stopped. Balance in life cannot be achieved if you let the motion in life stop.

I learned from a child what performers have known for decades. When motion stops, balance is often lost.

The Hebrew language illustrates this beautifully. One of the words used for balance is “qaneh” and its root “qanah” is directly tied to creating.

This can be life changing and applicable in so many settings.

Do you want balance? Keep creating; keep moving.

Don’t stop being creative just because you may sway a little.

Don’t let a little wind stop your walk simply because you may lose your balance.

Actions

We all love to come up with ideas and even talk about those ideas. I have never seen someone come so alive than when we talk about their passion; whether it is as mundane as collecting screws to the culturally accepted talents like the arts.

The face of someone who is talking about something they are passionate about brightens a little. I would love to go into how I think this is the glory we read about in the Bible, but we will save that for the next book.

God gives us a great example to follow in dealing with words and deed.

We all have heard that faith with acts or deeds is dead. I think an often simple confusion is the words used. It is often thought that this scripture is saying faith is not enough, so we need an action. If we look into it a little, we can see its advocating faith, but a different kind of faith.

We get a little insight into faith right here; we see that faith has an opportunity to either be alive or dead.

Action brings faith to life.

Faith is that dream, the thought, the passionate hope inside of you. Without any action that dream of yours can die.

The first chapter of the gospel of John gives us a great visual of this.

In the beginning was the word, but the word couldn’t just stay the word it had to have an action. Then we read, “…the word became…”

John 3:16, I believe, would be the most popular example. God loved, so he had to give. For His faith in mankind to come alive, he would have to give.

So, just as we, in An Emerging Spirituality, learned how to have faith despite our doubt, hurt, and differences, we have to add an action to. This book will teach us how to walk out our emerging, growing, progressing spirituality. We will learn about a barefoot Christianity that doesn’t skirt the big questions and pass up difficult subjects.

A journey begins with a step.

Chapter Eleven

The art of being an ass

And saith unto them, “Go your way into the village over against you: and as soon as ye be entered into it, ye shall find a colt tied, whereon never man sat; loose him, and bring him.

And if any man say unto you, ‘Why do ye this?’ say ye, ‘That the Lord hath need of him’; and straightway he will send him hither.”

And they went their way, and found the colt tied by the door without in a place where two ways met; and they loose him.

And certain of them that stood there said unto them, “What do ye, loosing the colt?”

(Mark 11:2-5)

There is a moment when you catch up with yourself. That is, a moment when your past becomes the oh-so haunting reality you feared.

You know the moment I’m talking about, that moment when you take a breath and instead of peace and relaxation, you’re left with that broken, not good enough feeling.

That moment when a good decision flourishes like the flower it is.

That moment when a bad choice spreads like the poison it is.

What about sitting face to face with the person you used to be; the person you’ve been avoiding for so many years?

You’ve moved on. You’ve overcome, but that person isn’t gone. The old Jim was facing demons you couldn’t imagine. The Suzanne of three years ago was facing a struggle she could never even speak out loud lest a shame overcome her.

What about that event you haven’t fully dealt with?

That death. The split. You know the event that makes you want to skip this chapter altogether because it would just be easier, sometimes walking away is a little easier than dealing with life’s unresolved issues.

What can you do when the past is haunting your present?

I face those moments on many occasions. I’d like to say that I’ve acquired some great faith over the years. I just can’t, every day I face the fear that my greatest moments are behind me.

However I take great company among those who have struggled with the part of themselves that just isn’t as strong and faith filled.

When I struggle, I can at that moment sit with Elijah under that Juniper tree asking God to kill me.

I have been there with him. I’ve been in that vulnerable place.

I can stand on Horeb with Moses as his anger and disappointment overcame him. I’ve also been there. I’ve felt unappreciated and have at times reacted with an irritation that can accompany Moses in that moment.

I’d rather stand with these broken some bodies than stand next to a perfect nobody.

We have an example of a God who would come bearing weakness and wearing brokenness. A God who came giving up his robe rather than wearing it. A God who sat in the dirt with a whore rather than on a throne, and ate with the scum. This is a God who needs me, even in my imperfection. We have an example of a God who would come bearing weakness and wearing brokenness.

A God who came giving up his robe. A God who sat in the dirt, ate with the scum, and a God who needed this sinner.

A Need

Heading into Passover, Jesus called for a donkey to enter the city in.

In what I consider one of the Bibles most revealing and revolutionary statements Jesus says, “The Lord has need.”

Jesus has a need!

We receive a vital piece of information and insight into the person of Jesus by finding that he has a need for something, and in that moment it is a need for a donkey.

As I’ve always taught and will continue to teach, the Bible has more layers and deeper meanings that will allow God to speak in a new way.

The Story of an Ass

This story isn’t just about an ass that was an animal in the right place at the right time to give the savior a ride through the city.

That colt is all of us; you and me. It is the story of a bound forgotten being not experiencing life and one day a savior smiles upon him.

Why, because he has to make himself feel great? No. He has need.

He has need of a person tied down. He has need of that junky that has lost everything.

He has need of that teen who feels like failure awaits every person she attempts to love.

This is one of the most powerful verses in scripture because it tells us why.

For God so loved…

But why?

Because he had need!

It’s exciting to me because this means Jesus wanted me with all my doubts. Jesus wanted me with all my mess.

He wanted me with all my uncertainties and insecurities. He has a need for me.

The gospel isn’t about winning souls; it’s about connecting an ass that is tied up to a savior who will liberate.

One thing I just have to say that I love about this scripture is that Jesus chooses the inexperienced colt.

He didn’t want the colt that traveled the land. He didn’t want a colt that knew what it was like to carry a king. He wanted the colt that was tied up and never ridden.

Some of the best people for the job will have never done the job.

Some of the best experience is the least experience.

The end of the verse reflects often what we see in our own lives as we begin something new.

As the disciples untied the colt and was about to bring it to Jesus as he asked, they questioned the disciples.

How many times have you wanted to start something, a business or even a career and the people around you seem to have all these questions?

Jesus had no incentive to question this colt, he just wanted to free it.

Don’t ever let your inexperience hinder you from dreaming. Out of your inexperience will come many blessings.

Chapter Twelve

A place and an example

Let’s go back to the well-known story of Peter attempting to walk on the water.

I believe that we are given many pictures throughout the Bible that we can apply to our lives in many different ways. It is somewhat reminiscent to the old phrase Momma muttered sternly, “Let this be a lesson to you.”

Jesus sought to create a picture for each one of us to relate to. I am humbled when I see that application in action.

Jesus, standing on the water, exhibits strength in a vulnerable position. He placed himself in an all-hell-breaking-loose situation, just to stand above it. He is giving us a strong visual that we can apply it to our lives countless times.

The rest of the picture is a little easier for us to relate to. Peter, seeing/hearing what Jesus was doing in the midst of a storm, wanted to take part.

You can relate to that, can’t you?

We’ve all heard great teachings that have inspired us to seek and take part in something that we can’t normally attain.

Peter had that hunger to be like his Rabbi; to do the things he saw his Rabbi doing.

Peter took a step; just one step. This one step began his journey into this divine moment. It wasn’t attributed to a prayer or a religious discipline, but a seemingly insignificant step began this momentous occasion in Peter’s life.

That step insisted an obedience and trust that could not be exhibited through exquisite words or often empty promises. No, the only way to begin this kind of journey with God is through a step.

I’ve always been asked what the difference is between faith and actions or faith and works. My reply is always the same. The significant ground between faith and works is a step. Who is willing to take that step?

The Bible says that faith without works is dead (James 2:17). I’d add that faith without works is motionless. Faith includes motion or it is not of value.

The full picture here is exciting if we can get a grasp on it. Peter and Jesus are standing on the same surface, during the same storm; one standing firm and one sinking; falling because of the pressure.

Jesus was giving us a depiction and example that it is possible to experience a storm in life, a rough patch, a low moment and either sink under the pressure or stand strong.

There is the possibility to stand strong in this storm. Yes, even that divorce. Yes, including your joblessness.

In this very second, you can decide to stand through this storm. The wind may blow and you may sway, but you do not have to fall.

The fabric may begin to fray. The boat may begin to rock. This tempest may be the worst you’ve experienced in a long time, but you do not have to be knocked down. You can overcome this storm. You can stand again.

Peter was getting a life lesson from his Rabbi that day on the water. Peter decided to fall when the storm got rough, and Jesus decided to stand no matter what.

What will you do when the storm gets to be too much to handle?

Will you fall or will you stand?

Chapter Thirteen

Aware

Taking it Off

Since the days in Eden, we have been hiding our true nature. We’ve been ditching and dodging our failures and shortcomings while hiding our lack of esteem for the life around us. We have become complacent with the miracles of daily life.

In this generation, we prefer the artificial. The air is often filtered, the food is frequently unoriginal, and the environment often synthetic.

The human interaction we require is usually replaced with virtual or impersonal contact. We tend go the extra mile to hide ourselves

For a moment, we experienced the bliss of nakedness and no shame and just as quickly, we were reduced to shameful humans who can’t expose ourselves without fear. We see it in many instances in everyday life.

I know this first hand. We often speak about shame and fear; I don’t experience them, I am fear and shame. All of my life I’ve been afraid to expose myself for who I am.

The Bible is an Expose

Throughout the Bible, God tried to expose men and women; laying their faults out for everyone to see. He would often pick those for incredible callings who knowingly had disabilities or shortcomings that they may have tried to hide. Your shortcomings do not disqualify you from what God has in store.

Gods’ prophetic call to his people is to take it off! Let it go! Strip yourself down so the only thing left is the most sincere you; the you only you have seen.

All throughout the New Testament, when people came into contact with Jesus he would often bring them to a new level; not a higher level, but a lower one. He would bring them down, he would strip them and he would expose them.

The exposed quickly became the vulnerable. In Christ, the seemingly strong will be more susceptible to their own weaknesses.

This is in contrast to the message the modern church and spirituality tend to bring, which primarily promotes strength and achievements.

Going Down

The Lord’s Prayer begins with a very humble reminder; a moment of surrender. Jesus begins this legendary prayer with, “Our Father who art in Heaven, Hallowed be thy name.” With this, we give up any responsibility on our part. The beginning of the prayer is exposing the nakedness of mankind, and the ability of man to fall short in times of tension.

The beatitudes are also filled with these true realities of being a Christ follower. They are not the sugar coated traits that a Christ follower will have or obtain. The beatitudes are a stripping down of humanity to its purest core.

At this core is not intelligence, strength, or boldness. At the core of this barefoot journey with Jesus is weakness and brokenness.

The Pentecost revival began with Peter, and his fear of speaking, to usher in this outpouring of God’s Spirit on hundreds of men and women from his very voice.

In Exodus, Moses, the bold, outspoken leader, was also a shy, doubting stutterer.

The journey ahead will be essentially grounded in expressing doubt, encouraging questions, and celebrating chaos. This is the purest form of holiness and righteousness.

The beatitudes are the central foundation for the spiritual life. This is the core of living a barefoot Christianity.

(Mat 5:3) Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

(Mat 5:4) Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

(Mat 5:5) Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

(Mat 5:6) Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

(Mat 5:7) Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

(Mat 5:8) Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

(Mat 5:9) Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

(Mat 5:10) Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

(Mat 5:11) Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

Each verse is a departure from traditional reality. Reality says that even if all hell is breaking loose, we need to put our “Sunday face” on. No matter how much is going on, we are told that we need to fake a smile or, since God is expected to fix it, act like nothing is wrong. In the Bible we see moments of an angry Moses, an angry David, a suicidal Elijah, and much more.

While traditional religion holds knowledge and boldness in high esteem, Jesus holds a contrary view and shouted it from this mountain near Galilee to the onlookers and followers that were there.

Salvation is for sinners.

This message from Jesus was grounded in exposing ourselves. His message to his disciples, gathered around him on that hilltop on that hot day in Galilee, was a message of vulnerability and authenticity.

The disciples often struggled with what the characteristics of a follower of Jesus should be. If they weren’t Jewish, how would they act? If they were Jewish, what was this new identity Jesus was preaching about?

Around the age of thirty, Jesus began hand picking followers to call his learned students. They would not only be taught, but would eventually model and teach what they had been taught.

These twelve would be called Apostles, but they would also be a spiritual representation of the Twelve Tribes of Israel that God chose in the Old Testament. The Twelve Tribes of Israel would be known for being chosen for their strength, knowledge, and wealth.

This time around, Jesus was incorporating a new type of philosophy in his followers— hinted by the new coming covenant prophecy from Jeremiah, chapter thirty-one.

These followers were not chosen for their strength, wealth, or knowledge; they were teenagers who didn’t progress in the Jewish schooling. These were the “inadequate”. This group was chosen for their weakness, failures, and shortcomings.

This is what Jesus wanted us to be known by, not the strength and discipline of this religion, but the weakness that lies within each one of us that is waiting to be filled.

The trouble comes when, often times as Christians, we want to be known for our strength, courage, and knowledge. When in fact, our strength comes from none of those; it’s found in our death, our weakness and the knowledge we have yet to attain.

Aware

I’ve been in many Christian circles and denominations, and I have seen much anger and hostility displayed. Arguments and disagreements seem to cloud spiritual discussions.

I feel this is because we are aware. We are all too aware of our nakedness, our faults, and our brokenness.

Gen 3:7: And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.

Gen 3:10 And he said, “I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.”

What is it we so often hear?

I was afraid so…I lashed out. I was afraid so… I walked away. I was afraid so… I had to depend on alcohol. I was afraid so… I couldn’t control my anger.

The awareness of our failures is ever more present; it is more evident than ever. Jesus was not only aware of this, but he wanted to capitalize on it. He saw our awareness as a time for growth.

The central core to spiritual expression isn’t memorizing and studying but accepting our hurt and brokenness.

Hurt

Jesus, on many occasions, exemplified what each of us in the kingdom of God should be like. No more than on one occasion.

What fascinates me about this is that Jesus compares the kingdom of God, in a few instances, to a mustard seed. The root of that Greek word used there is to “hurt” or “to be hurting”.

What Jesus tried to tell us was that the kingdom of God isn’t full of angels; heaven is! The true kingdom of God is full of real people, dealing with real things. We all have something in common. We have all dealt with hurt, and we are all struggling to be whole. This is why you see Jesus going to the “hurt” people; people physically hurt and the mentally and spiritually hurt.

When Jesus stated his “mission statement” in Luke chapter four, he said he was here for the bruised, brokenhearted, those held captive, and poor, these men and women are our neighbors, me and you; this is who Jesus classified us as.

This is our strength; the mustard seed is one of the strongest seeds and known for its ability to grow and mature through the hardest conditions contrary to its size and appearance. The mustard seed has been known to withstand droughts and raging tempests. This is us; you and I. Jesus is giving us a clear picture of the kingdom of God and the identity of the citizens. I cannot explain how much I would love for this to be realized; we need to stop all the judgment and division and open up about our insecurities, doubts, and fears.

The world today is full of emotionally starving people who can’t wait to start a revolution of some kind. I call it misplaced excitement. This isn’t such a bad thing, but it can be abused, which in Latin means “an abnormal use”, so when we abuse something it’s not necessarily about hurting something or someone, we are misusing them.

Rather than help and real change, we pump up our church campaigns and missions with catchy slogans, videos, and designs.

This book is not about changing who you are, but accepting who you are in God.

.

Chapter Fourteen

Soapbox

April of the early 1800’s.

The sun was just warm enough to slightly touch the back of passersby strolling through the Hyde Park Square in London.

Families walking by, couples strolling the paths, and elderly men and women gazing at the beautiful display of flowers. A child is mesmerized by his reflection on the surface of the clear water in the lake.

Earlier that morning, an older gentleman delivers a weekly shipment of soap to a local general store. The boxes from that day were cast behind the store in the area designated for trash pickup.

A local short and stoutly poet on his way to Hyde Park sees this soapbox and says to himself, “This is my only way to be heard.”

He walks to the middle of the park, takes one foot and raises it, presses firmly in the middle of the soapbox, and soon follows with the other foot. He now had a chance to be heard; a man who formerly was looked over.

Overtime, the reputation of the soapbox has become synonymous with piety and arrogance, and this is the place I want to come from in this chapter and this book.

So often we are told that if action isn’t recognized with an immediate reaction or change, that’s its void of any effect. It’s a lie the world will tell you. Change isn’t always evident, but it is inevitable.

Even within ourselves, if we don’t see some physical change we can often become discouraged at not only ourselves, but we can also become discouraged with God.

The Bible promotes an upside down view of reality. The biblical way of walking though life is contrary to what we see; this is God’s natural mindset. The Bible promotes weakness as strength. God says, “I want a stumbler to speak on my behalf. I want the broken to fix. I want the helpless to help.”

So just when our clock says it’s running out of time, God says it’s the right time.

The beauty of a soapbox was that it was created as a tool to help carry a dream: hand carved soap products. A metaphorical soapbox can carry all your dreams, and the Bible can be that soapbox. Just as a soapbox can be used in a good, quality way, it can also be misused, and the message and dreams that come from the top of that soapbox can be horrible.

Today, the reputation of the soapbox is less than reputable; it has been tarnished by being abused, and used as a make-shift stepping tool for those who sometimes have a bad or condemning message. Likewise, it has given a lot of men and women a boost when speaking in crowds.

I think the Bible has gone through a similar abuse of use. The Bible’s availability to everyone contributed to each person’s opportunity to use the Bible at their own discretion. While that is a blessing in its own right, it also allows anyone to take any action or belief and stamp the name of God on it. Over the years, this list has included, but is not limited to racism, sexism, homophobia and genocide.

Most have taken that one step onto that soapbox; all it takes is one step. One step to misuse the name of God. One step to diminish his creation. One step in arrogance. One step in pride. One step higher on that soapbox is a step in a direction away from God.

In that same right, it only takes one step to come down from that soapbox. One step back to return to the ground, feeling the world and spirit around you. Maybe, just maybe, if we step down from that soapbox of arrogance, we may be taking a step closer to God.

Let us not misuse the soapbox of the Bible, it is a gift for us to carry the knowledge and presence of God, much like ourselves. May we not step on the words of the Bible, but walk with them. Let us not use the blessing of the Bible as a platform for arrogance and selfishness, but for humility and wisdom.

As people determined to follow Jesus, let us focus not on going up, but rather going down.

The peace Jesus is offering to us is not found in success and accomplishments, but in giving, losing, and serving. Step down from your soapbox, and I will step down from mine.

Chapter Fifteen

Beautiful

We all have reasons to give up.

Life tends to seem unbearable at times. Purpose and fulfillment seem scarcely unattainable. We all have those moments when we want to walk away from it all.

We live in a world where we are encouraged to partake in meaningless activities to get our minds away from making a lasting impact on our world. We tend to get lost in the hustle and bustle of everyday life, and we forget that there is meaning to it all.

The writer of the book of Acts tells us of an interesting event that happened, it is recalled in The book of Acts, Chapter 3 verse 1.

One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. 2 Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. 4 Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” 5 So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.

6 Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.”

The interesting thing about this event is that it wasn’t a mass miracle, it did not impact the entire world; they help only one man, and they restored him from the pain and abuse he’d suffered throughout the years. This wasn’t about trying to convert the world, this was about a man whom many saw as a lowly beggar, who found purpose, whose life changed forever.

Peter and John began their day walking through King Herod’s court and came through the eastern entrance into the court and stopped by this man; this man who is a beggar, homeless, handicapped; held down by life and the system.

The gate that this man was sitting at everyday was called “Beautiful”. Kind of ironic huh? It gets better.

The word used there for beautiful is “ho-rah’-yos” it means something belonging to the right moment, something becoming beautiful and flourishing. This man sat at this destination for years. I can empathize with him; I am sure he thought about walking away, he couldn’t have made much money from it, he was probably spit on, cursed at and treated like the dirt he sat on.

At this very moment, I am looking at this picture and the gate is small and dirty, this gate goes far beyond the street corners we have today. No one knew this man, they just knew of him as the man who sat at the gate, begging and handicapped. Have you ever been known to people more by your failures and shortcomings rather than the real you? Have your failures and mess-ups become your new name? Do people introduce you as the girl who had the baby at fifteen? As the man who was arrested?

I can hear the irony of the voice of God when this man would cry out to God and say this can’t be where I am supposed to be at right now and God says no this is the right place, this is the place of your restoration, and this is your place of blessing.

My favorite part of this story is the fact that this man was an outsider his whole life. He never fit in. He didn’t have a career or trade like everyone else. He didn’t see himself amounting to much other than a beggar. No one thought much of him; they used the scriptures to justify his lack of worth. I don’t know about you, but I can relate to this guy. This guy is me. Let us wait for those beautiful and purposeful moments. Tarrying never hurt anyone.

Last Word

Don’t ever forget you are beautiful, although your life, your past, and your present situation may be ugly. You are beautiful. Every crack and crevice of life has beauty to baste in its wisdom. Let’s explore the beauty of life together.

The End

The end

“The end” sounds presumptuous. Don’t let this part of the journey end with the turn of this last page. If we have learned anything from our time together in this collection it is that words mean little until they create movement. Change of scenery only comes through movement.

I want you to create a movement. Remember, I’m not asking you to build a nonprofit, and I’m not asking you to run a marathon across the U.S. I want you to just move, or in the words of Jesus, “Go…”

Movement is creativity and creativity creates liberty for all involved and around.  I pray that your spirituality may be creative, let your light shine and never grow dim. You are a broken, but beautiful gift that has something to give.

Till next time, keep moving.

Ricky Maye

Ricky Maye resides in Cincinnati, Ohio and is a widely sought after voice in communities of faith and human rights. Ricky will astound groups with his unique insight into Biblical language and history that will penetrate the hearts of everyone in attendance. Ricky will provide a right now word from God to you personally through his props and one of a kind presentations.

Ricky is the Author of An Emerging Spirituality, Barefoot Christianity and the Rethink Christianity Series.

-[Ricky Maye]-

Visit Ricky Maye on Facebook to keep up with news, updates and live appearances.

Share your story, start conversation and help encourage others with me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/therickymaye

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Table of Contents

Introduction

Movement

Chapter One

Stars

Chapter Two

Go

Chapter Three

Following

Chapter Four

Compassion

Chapter Five

Community and communion

Chapter Six

Barefoot

Chapter Seven

Steps

Chapter Eight

Admat kodesh

Chapter Nine

Brown Bagging It

Chapter Ten

Footprints

Chapter Eleven

The art of being an ass

Chapter Twelve

A place and an example

Chapter Thirteen

Aware

Chapter Fourteen

Soapbox

Chapter Fifteen

Beautiful

The End

Table of Contents

Introduction

Movement

Chapter One

Stars

Chapter Two

Go

Chapter Three

Following

Chapter Four

Compassion

Chapter Five

Community and communion

Chapter Six

Barefoot

Chapter Seven

Steps

Chapter Eight

Admat kodesh

Chapter Nine

Brown Bagging It

Chapter Ten

Footprints

Chapter Eleven

The art of being an ass

Chapter Twelve

A place and an example

Chapter Thirteen

Aware

Chapter Fourteen

Soapbox

Chapter Fifteen

Beautiful

The End