Introducing my book!

The following short essay is taken from the back cover, inside panel, or introduction to the book I am getting ready to publish. Does it make sense? Do you want to read the book now? Any suggestions? If you want to help with the final edit/design or promotion, let me know!

<><

Simple subscription to a set of ideas requires no sacrifice from individuals and thus has no power to change their nature. Therefore, theories and principles constructed through careful study and observation do not carry the power to transform a life. That which has no power to change an individual has been drained of its ability to impact the world.

Thus, those who wish to encourage transformation in the world around them through the imposition of a philosophical identity must first demonstrate its value by personal application of its fundamental principles. Though the definitions of value vary with every individual, the prize of a successful life, which these principles are meant to produce, remains unchanged across individual and cultural distinctives.

This book outlines a way of life by which every individual can realize the full potential of his or her success. Unique among its peers, its standard of value has no limits, and encompasses the entire human experience. At its core, the philosophy outlined here derives its value from the application of Christian doctrines to the experience of life.

Because the application is imperfect through the author's life and experience, it transcends the limited usefulness of academic theory and sheds light on the foundational truths that hide in between the lines in the form of faith, hope, and love. Though the story presents evidence of their existence, these truths can only reveal themselves as the individual pursues a relationship with their creator. Thus, even for the author, this story is only the beginning of the adventure.

Christian Lifestyle

For many Christians there are two separate aspects of life: relationship with God and relationship with the real world. Unfortunately, the two seldom mix. I want to figure out how a relationship with God translates into a lifestyle that can serve as a contrast to the lifestyle created by the world. Unless I actually take the risk of practicing and discovering if what I believe is true, I do not have the right to preach it to someone else.

In part this is motivated by the irrelevance of the Christian lifestyle enjoyed in Suburban America. When I saw the poor people in the countryside in China, I knew that the gospel I carried was not good news to them. The gospel their country preached to them was a big house, plenty of money and no problems. My message was no different, except that I could promise a happy ending (a nice house, plenty of money, and no problems in a perfect world called heaven). Oops. Why would my message have any more pull than the other one? The only reason? Fear of a place called Hell.

While salvation is key to the gospel, the goal of salvation is restoration. Jesus is the second Adam, the reset button, the second chance for mankind to walk with God in this experience of life. If walking with God is my objective, then the standard of value by which I engage with life will be different. My value comes not from economic productivity. My Christianity is not part of my career. My career is my Christian life. What I do in the process of walking with God is irrelevant. If I walk with God as a server at a restaurant, a street sweeper in China, an executive in Ireland, or a gas station attendant in Minnesota, I am successful. I do not have to have a fancy house, a nice car, plenty of clothes, expensive food, or even a good reputation. I do not have to be distinguished as a Christian among those I serve. I simply have to love God in response to His love for me – and as I come to know His love, I will find myself loving those around me.

When it comes to a career, I no longer play that game. My career is my faith. When it comes to a retirement account, I no longer invest in dollars. My reward is incorruptible. When it comes to success, I have a new definition. My boasting is that I know God. When it comes to money, I am no longer a servant. My Father created the world and owns all its money.

I am setting up my life in a way that requires God to be real. Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs shows religion near the top of the pyramid as part of self-actualization. Christianity is meant to be the pyramid. If I cannot trust God for my basic survival needs, how can I trust him for my identity, love Him in relationship, or depend on Him for my future?

Even as I think about this, I realize that I still trust in my own ability and intelligence to care for myself. I know these are gifts from God for me to use. For the past several weeks, I have devoted these to investing in the kingdom of God without really thinking of how I can use them to care for myself. It may be that this is the way I give these to Him. I still presume that if God does not come through in the way I expect, I can use them to somehow get by. Every day that I submit these to the service of His kingdom, I show my trust in Him as my sole provider. He is everything that I need.

Perfect Rest

What a beautiful reality, where my responsibility becomes futility;

Where trying more is trying less and letting go is being blessed;

Where striving toward the perfect goal, the grander cause, not duty but delight. 

Where knowing love is all my life. My perfect rest, your perfect might.

 <><><>

Laughter is the best way to express perfect rest. 

I have wanted to reach this point my whole life. All the books, all the stories, the dreams, and the moments of imagining what life could be have coalesced into a beautiful song called life. This life is no longer my own, but Christ who lives through me. My struggle to reach this place is not over, but my fight has been won. This present reality is but a glimpse of my future. It is from this place of perfect content that God will work through my life. It is not through my effort and talents, but through my rest and surrender that I will enter into the great things that God has prepared for me.

This rest does not refer to sleep or sloth, but to trust. It is the posture of my heart. As I seek to know the One who gives me life, I will discover Him through my actions, interactions and reflections. If I seek the actions, interactions and reflections that could reveal Him, I will be disappointed in my search. By seeking that which is good, I find only a reflection of that which is best. By seeking that which is best, I find that what is good makes that which is best even more beautiful. Thus, the posture of rest is one that seeks only what is best. It does not pursue the multitude of worthy causes that present themselves to me. However, in pursuit of the One who is worth everything, I will find myself undertaking many of the worthy causes.

1 Corinthians 14:1 demonstrates this subtle difference in a challenge to “Pursue love and desire spiritual gifts.” Though the demonstrations of love are desired, they are worth nothing apart from the pursuit of love. 1 Corinthians chapter 13 precedes this short phrase with the warning that actions without love are worthless. Thus, the good gifts are desired, but only one thing is pursued: LOVE!

To pursue love as a character, thought, action, or emotion would be a mistaken application of this passage. For love does not exist apart from God. 1 John 4:7-8 “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God because God is love.”

In conclusion, then, my pursuit of God - of knowing God, and walking with Him in a restored relationship - is the source of my love, which gives value to the demonstration of love. Within this framework, everything that I do receives its value from the way in which it reflects the nature of God, expands my enjoyment of who He is, and demonstrates His love to the world. I rest. I enjoy. He works through me. 

<><><>