Holey moley. Apparently my blog post Cigars and Jesus smoked out some strong feelings. I appreciate all the comments made; sometimes they are more fun to read than the post itself!
Alas, life isn’t all about fun, and there was one comment that I feel the need to address. One reader, who will remain anonymous (because I have no idea who it was) asserted that my “provocative attitude is doing anything but building for unity in the church of God!” Ouch. Words like that would really sting if I thought they were true.
Here’s the thing: I’m all for unity. But I am fighting for a bigger, deeper, grittier unity than I currently see advertised in some church buildings. I am a profoundly flawed human being. I always have been. I’m not proud of that fact, but it’s the truth. Now, I know our soiled laundry doesn’t need to be made into a dirty little banner, but are we really so close to perfect that covering the holes of our togas with bigger and bigger fig leaves will tip the scales in our favor? If I need to buy into an idea of unity that says I have to part my hair on the side and fall in line before I get smacked with a King James, I’m going to have a lot of bruises.
Anonymous, do you want to hear me say it? Okay. I’ll say it.
I think Jesus IS coming again to judge us. Both of us.
I think He IS worthy of all glory. ‘Cuz He died for losers like me, and not a lot of gods have done that and lived to tell about it.
I think every knee WILL bow. And if I can portray Jesus in such a way as to guarantee that a dirty smoker or crack addict is kneeling in white garments right next to you, I’m going to laugh my freakin’ head off.
