Thursday, October 18, 2007

Keeping it Real

I think one of the best things about women's small group studies - when they're done right - is the opportunity to be real with each other. In the small group study I attend on Thursday nights, I'm blessed to be around a group of women committed to keeping it real.

Last week we discussed Christology - the deep doctrines of the person of Christ, what it means that all the fullness of the Godhead dwells in Him, bodily. Such a deep, spiritual group, right? Well, tonight we discussed cleaning under the refrigerator - or rather, our lack of doing so.

The context was Paul's admonition to the Colossians that they are already complete in Christ (Col. 2:10). We talked about the struggles we have as women to be all, do all. We discussed the challenges that working outside the home places on us - and the reality that we don't automatically feel nurturing. And we talked about the dirt under the refrigerator! We were trying to keep it real.

And it makes me think of you ... out there, trying to keep it real. Trying sometimes to hold it together, not sure how to say that you really, really need a break before you break something. Trying to be spiritual, not just look spiritual. Trying to give us a glimpse of your world, but wondering if you even see it anymore.

Theology one week, housecleaning advice the next...both part of the tough work of the Christ-centered life for me. For you, endless administrative meetings and lingering conversations over tea might be the two extremes where you seek to live out your faith. For our theology must always meet our reality somewhere down the line if we are going to keep it real.

I pray that God will guide you to believers where you feel the freedom to lay out those struggles ... to people who will be in the trenches with you, battling for the victory of God's kingdom advance. And I pray that you will find that you truly are complete in Him, even if (like me) you never clean under the refrigerator :)

For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled [made complete] in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. (Col. 2:9-10)

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