Create Life

I am currently reading Nelson Mandela’s autobiography, Long Walk to Freedom. I have recently acquired a taste for reading about the movers and shakers of the world in the light of justice and sacrifice. I want to study MLK Jr., Mandela, Desmond Tutu, Mother Theresa. Their stories stir my soul, as do the tales of those who are not well known but have sacrificed their selfish desires to pursue life for others. They are just a little harder to sniff out.

This longing to learn about justice, sacrifice, and a greater love has been aroused within me just over the past two or three years. It came from a myriad of places - deep personal struggles, professors who taught me a great deal and opened my eyes to many things, friends, the wisdom of others, books, and most certainly by grace. If I had known beforehand, I probably wouldn’t have had the guts to endure the experiences that transformed me and my perspective, but in a way I would not trade for anything in this world. It has been a transformation of faith and a dying of self.

All that I have been learning and experiencing has been a painful journey, but as I said, one well worth taking. I have so badly wanted to share everything that I have learned but have struggled with the words. I have tried to explain all that has been explained to me, but I find that I always forget the reasoning behind it, only remembering that it was good. This leaves me lacking quite a bit of credibility. When my pastor speak on Friday put the foundation of my understanding into a 30 minute message I was incredibly satisfied. Finally, words for me…

Obviously, I am not going to write out a 30 minute message, but the following words explain more or less what has brought me a greater love for Christ and a greater love for others. When asked of the purpose of life, in the Christian perspective, I would have long said, “to know God and to make him known.” Okay, so what does that look like? The best idea I had about this was things such as offering phrases like, “oh no, it was all God, not me” when given praise for a good thing, or trying to sneak him into conversations that revolved around good things, and of course by following as many biblical rules as possible so as to be an example of what a Christian was and so that I could know him more that way as well. The result of all this, would hopefully bring others to recognize their purpose as well and so they would become Christians too! Hooray! That was enough for me for a good five or so years. I do not mean to discount my heart during this period of time or my relationship with God. I was seeking him and honestly trying to pursue what I knew to be a Christian walk. I have just come to believe there is quite a bit more…

In the book of Genesis we learn a great deal about what we need to know about the purpose of life in the very first two chapters. Looking strictly at these two chapters of the Bible, there is one thing we can be certain of about God…he is a god of creation, of new life, of beauty. He called these things (the stars, the seas, the birds of the air and the fish of the sea) good - and then invited man to be a part of his work. When God created man, what did he do with him? He set him in the garden to “work it and take care of it.” His initial task. When God soon after created woman, he put the two together and told them to multiply and to subdue the creatures of the earth. God had been busy at creating and then decided man and woman should help, should play a huge role in the continuing of all of this creation. Hm. This is how it all began. You, me, Adam, Eve…our primary task was to continue what he began…work, care, multiply and subdue. Was it not?

Then of course came the fall of man, and a whole lot more, which I am not going into. When Jesus later came about, it was clear that his intention was not to simply do miracles that would show he was capable, and he didn’t walk the earth to prove right from wrong. Jesus got involved in much more important things…he was getting back to the work his Father started, that of giving life, of creating, of pursuing beauty and justice. He ends his time on earth by defeating death itself, returning to bring life and empower others to do so. As Paul picks up the story, we learn that we are today to begin working towards establishing the new earth, when evil is done with for good. To allow God to use us to have heaven and earth meet. How often we pray it! “Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. THY KINGDOM COME, THY WILL BE DONE, ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN.” Whoa. How did I not get this the whole time?

So. All of these new longings and desires of mine that have been building up; my desire to see justice prevail, to free the oppressed, to encourage the down and out, to feed the hungry, to love culture and art, I am now learning…are exactly what I am created to do. God’s intention was for us to work with him to create, to bring life, to cultivate beauty. We failed, but we get another chance. I have the chance each day, to choose these things, to offer them to others, and to play a part in bringing together heaven and earth. Perhaps one of the most important pieces of all is the recognition that it is not an easy task. Even the task of choosing to pursue such a painful and challenging call, is in itself, a little piece of heaven and earth meeting. Of course there is much more to the story, and much more to the task, but nonetheless…this is a very good place to start.

So now I am left to ask myself each day, how I am creating life? How am I taking care of the earth? How am I cultivating beauty and passion? How am I working towards justice? I create life when I educate people in Africa about a disease that is wiping away physical health, but also killing families and relationships because of its ugly stigma. I create life when I work through my own fears and pursue relationships with people incredibly different than me. I create life when I learn to trust people in ways I never have before. You create life when you encourage your brothers and sisters. You create life when you lovingly help people to see the very things that are killing them. You create life when you plant your garden or finger-paint with your kid.

Perhaps it is not all about pretending we are not talented or skilled, but instead using our gifts and skills in a way that glorify God by creating things. Perhaps it is not so much about what we do with our lives, but how and why we do it. Perhaps it is not just about the saving of souls, but instead it is about offering life to people, regardless of their response. It is a human touch, an undeserved offering, a sacrifice of self, a moment of compassionate eye contact. Throw in the middle of all of this, a love for others that only comes from the creator of life in the first place…and wow, what a calling, what an opportunity, what a life.

I’m in.

* * *

The Burnside Writers Collective fundraising campaign has begun. If you can donate a few bucks, we’d be grateful. Here are a few ways we want to say thank you:

Donations under $35: A Burnside sticker.

$35-$59: A copy of Donald Miller’s upcoming book A Million Miles in a Thousand Years and a Burnside sticker. The book is due out in 2009. We may or may not be able to get copies before they hit the stores. Regardless, you’ll get when we get it.

$60-$99: An autographed copy of A Million Miles in a Thousand Years, a book of your choice penned by one of our contributors* (list of options below) and a Burnside sticker.

$100-$199: An autographed copy of A Million Miles in a Thousand Years, two books penned by our contributors, a Burnside t-shirt and a Burnside sticker.

$200 or more: An autographed copy of A Million Miles in a Thousand Years, all five books penned by Burnside contributors, a Burnside t-shirt, a Burnside sticker and your name listed as a Burnside Patron on the new site.