Domestication

I have a confession to make.  My admission is not one of guilt, but of weakness.  About ten years ago, I came to realize that I had become “domesticated”.  I know that may not sound like a bad thing, but from a biblical / spiritual perspective,  I think it may.

We often think about ‘domestication’ in animals.  An undomesticated creature  doesn’t obey human rules.  A domesticated creature can be controlled and obeys people.  When you think about the person and the life of Jesus Christ, did Jesus ever obey people?  Our King was never sent to serve us!  Our Christ was THE most amazing, UNSTOPPABLE force let loose upon this planet…  and He said that He came to set us FREE!  (Luke 4:18)  Imagine how wonderful that is!  The Son of God has showed up, in person, to release us into freedom!  That is awesome!  Now… what do we do with that freedom?

Think about the final command of Jesus (Matthew 28)  as he sends the Disciples (and us) off to do the work of God.  What does He say?  He says, “Go” and “Do”.  Over time and influence, our culture has softened the church…  made us obedient…  calmed our wild hearts.   Jesus says, “Go” and “DO”…   but our domesticated society  tells us to “Come” and “Sit”.  The Lord tells us to feel free to “Shout our Praises” (Psalm 66),  but our culture tells us to “Be QUIET!”.  Our Heavenly Father tells us to get involved in community, to enliven the Spirit of God in others and to get caught up in prayers  for the world around us…  but our culture tells us to “roll over”…  and often… we do!  

What have we become?  The answer is easy… and not the LEAST bit discouraging.  We have become domesticated, softened and obedient  to our society.  What is the solution?  GO WILD!  Let God LOOSE in your life!  Rediscover your roots in a raw, primal faith.  Let go of the obedience to your culture, your society and even to your self- and grab desperately onto the Lord’s uncontrolled, untendered Holy Spirit.   This faith of ours is an unstoppable force and we have been granted the supreme honor of  delivering Hope to the least- the last and the lost.  Our Jesus has set us free, and the ONLY power that can keep us caged is our own indolence.  We live in society filled with discouragement and hopelessness today, but our God is calling for the bright sunshine of a new day!  God is calling for a day of Hope for ALL people. 

We need to pray…  pray that all of God’s people can have the courage to ‘be set free’…  to rise up  together in one voice!    Pray that we all may join our Savior again… standing tall against sin and death, and claiming the victory of Heaven for ALL PEOPLE! We need to allow ourselves the freedom to set Jesus loose upon the world.   God Bless  and GO WILD!    Amen?

-P.B.