A few months ago, I read the book pictured above and was once again challenged to the very core of my American-Christian beliefs. It was written in 2006, but the questions it begs to ask and the lessons for Christian living are timeless. Why? Because Shane Claiborne is yet one more voice "crying out in the wilderness" that too often we have completely missed the mark of what Jesus taught. And the teachings of Jesus are why this book will remain timeless. Or rather, maybe I should say there is no end to the repercussions of the life lived according to how Jesus taught.
Shane calls these modern day radicals like himself...Ordinary Radicals. The term "radical" often implies that we think the person is superhuman and the life they live is something most Christians cannot live out on a daily basis. But when you understand that the first definition of radical is "going to the root or origin", we can begin to comprehend that anyone trying to go back to the root of how Jesus showed us to live and executing it out in the flesh, is in fact...an Ordinary Radical.
This past Sunday, our church began a series called "Red-Letter Radical" and our pastor used the same definition of radical as Mr. Claiborne. But, in many Bibles, the words of Jesus are represented in red. So to be a "Red-Letter Radical" is to take Jesus literally about how to live and put feet to our faith. [When the podcast becomes available, I'll attach it here.] The first sermon in the series was centered on the Golden Rule. Most people, even if they aren't Christians, know this verse: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." (Matthew 7:12)
A Red-Letter Radical feeds the poor, clothes the naked, visits the sick and imprisoned, and stands beside the widow and the orphan in distress because that is exactly what they would want someone to do for them. This is precisely how Shane Claiborne and his friends from The Simple Way have been living in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for many years now. In a neighborhood, long-forgotten and written off as lost, the people of The Simple Way have shared Love, life and yes...laughter with their neighbors and friends.
Needless to say, I was greatly inspired by the book and at one point immediately set it down to go through our closets and pull out four trash bags full of clothes we did not use and therefore, someone else may need. The Simple Way is tangibly living out the lifestyle I would love to embrace. When reading the book, Dale and I had some discussion about how The Simple Way has grown since the writing of Irresistible Revolution (Dale read the book right after it came out) and we dreamed of visiting there one day.
When we started trying to plan a vacation for this summer, without hesitation we both chose a trip to Philadelphia and we're excited to be blessed to have the opportunity to stay in The Simple Way's Hospitality House. Sure, we'll do some historic sight-seeing and we're even taking a Megabus trip into New York City one day, but we're also hoping to see first-hand the work and witness of a people called to live radically in some seemingly ordinary ways. The timing of our church's new sermon series is therefore...impeccable.
I hope to blog about our trip while we're there. If I can't...I'll keep a detailed journal and update you when I return. I'd be lying if I didn't admit that at times when I've considered the possibility of where this could lead and how this could alter our family I am too excited for words to express it.
When you have a chance, read The Irresistible Revolution. I know God will use it to speak to your heart of the great things He has planned for your life too!
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