by Wayne Bridegroom

You are all aware that John and Marti are at an intensive 6 day seminar so John Shirk and I (Wayne) are filling in. Please keep them in your daily prayers: that our Lord would give them greater and greater insight into how the Catch community can become “Jesus with skin on” in a world fraught with ugly clashes. In last Friday’s Catch John shared some really relevant insight into this issue by calling us to be counter cultural:

You have been strategically placed right where you are for one reason: to bring the kingdom of God to your corner of the world. It matters not where that is; it matters that you are there and you are intentional about being a carrier of Christ and a spreader of the gospel of welcome — grace turned outward — to everyone, everywhere.

How? By persisting with doing the following: Love, empathize, build bridges, lift up (not tear down), create respect for all, embrace those who are different, resist the temptation to find fault, choose not to take part in criminalizing anyone, speak well of people who are not in your presence, give everyone a second chance — then a third and a fourth — up to seventy times seven (Matthew 18:22).  In fact, be a catalyst, a peacemaker, a healer. Stand in the gap; resist taking sides. Live like this, and you will make a difference — better yet, you will be the difference. You will be countercultural.

I want to briefly share what has God orchestrated in my life that has helped me move in the direction of being counter cultural. 1) As a relatively new believer I had the opportunity to spend the summer of ‘67 in Guatemala and ‘69 in Colombia. Wow, talk about churches being alive in Jesus!! I distinctly remember saying to myself, “Oh no. I’ve got to go back to the utterly boring church of America.” That opened me up to deeply appreciate people who were very different from my “comfort zone.” 2) In college I learned that it was OK to ask difficult questions; it was OK to doubt. That taught me that “pat answers” strewn with Bible verses weren’t very satisfying and should be questioned. God is not afraid of our wonderings. As hard as it is, being uncomfortable in your walk with God can be a really good thing. 3) Marriage. Both Beth and I are first born – a clear recipe for conflict. And in the midst of that conflict I learned that “my way” was not always the best. Hmm, maybe I ought to listen, really listen, to other people as well. 4) Our daughter is a therapist and at her first office, the group’s primary responsibility was to work with law enforcement. I got ear full after ear full that challenged everything my parents taught me in that regard. The culture of the 50’s said one thing but hands on therapy in the 21st century forced me to face new realities.

Every culture, indeed, every culture needs a thorn in the side that dares to say and live out “the way of Jesus.” Take a moment, please, to reflect on the various conversations, life experiences and “the light went on” Biblical truth that God has brought into your life. How has that forced you to move into uncomfortable new realms? Scary but good! We are here to listen and search with you.