When I was a kid my mother would make roast. There would be carrots and potatoes as sides along with some bread and the occasional ice cream desert. It was a fine meal, no complaints.
As I think about this dinner, that was a common set up for my childhood, I cannot help but think about how this is a representation of how many of us grew up thinking about church. That is to say, every area of our lives had it's own area on the plate.
There was the place where we worked (carrots). There was the place where we lived (potatoes). There was the place where we attended church (roast) and there was a place we attended school (bread).
Every aspect of our lives was separate and distinct from other areas of our lives.
And this is where the struggle lies. We have a growing generation of people for whom all aspects of life are becoming intertwined.
We work at home and we play at work.
For many people, there is a desire for church to be done in the other areas of their lives as well. Not just on Sunday.
That is to say, some people are not looking for a church to be like a roast - separate from the other elements on the plate. Rather the desire is that church would be like a bullion cube - infusing itself into all the other elements on the plate.
I desire a church that will be willing to melt or die to itself - to give up being a separate space in my life. I desire a church that infuses itself into all the areas of my work, play, school and life.
I don't need more on my plate, I just want my plate to be flavorful.
Give me the bullion, you can keep the roast.
