How Far Down the Rabbit Hole of Community Are We Called?

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Lewis Carroll's Adventures in Wonderland tell the story of Alice and the white rabbit she followed down the rabbit hole. Morpheus uses the same metaphor to introduce Neo to the "real world." According to Wikipedia the term has also come to signify any event which triggers a completely unexpected, bizarre situation or paradigm.

Our 'journey into community' at Blood N Fire, RSA might just qualify as events triggering completely unexpected, bizarre situations and paradigms. Those events aren't only the ones we encounter in the journey but the ones we face as a result of entering into community with those who are in need. Henri Nouwen said, ‘compassion is suffering with the one who suffers.’ Along our journey into community in Africa we have encountered many who are suffering. Nameless, faceless folks in need of a friend- someone who will care enough to reach out, stretch out their hand to help.

Just how far are we called or committed to going "down the rabbit hole" of faith for Christ? A one time visit to the streets with coffee and prayer introduces us to those so desperately in need they have sought quick fix measures to medicate their needs. And when our money runs out, what then? After we've helped our homeless friend find a place to stay, is that the end of it? Should we remain available to help him figure out the next step in faith? What about Anne and Walter who now cannot work? Their old age pension almost pays their rent, keeping them off the street. But what will they do for food? How are we called to help? What about the vendors in Green Market Square who are desperately trying to make ends meet, to educate their kids but cannot afford it? Who are we? What can we do? We can buy their wares, but when it comes down to it, we want a deal, don't we? When we know of their need shouldn't we partner in community with them to pray through how to get them the help and support they need? What about the masses of orphans in Rwanda and Uganda? And what of the people in Darfur? Congo? Who are we? Couldn't be that we have anything to share? Wait a minute! It's not our fault they have needs, are we our brother's keeper? When were you sick and I didn't come to visit, Lord? When were you in prison or hungry or in need? Hmmm.

If I Have Withheld - A song written by Jim Arrendell

If I have withheld the desires of the poor Or let the eyes of the widow grow weary. Let it burn in me, Let it burn in me. If I have held, my bread to myself
Not sharing with the fatherless people. Let it burn in me, Let it burn.
How Long have I, been in my sin? How long have I believed this lie?
How long have I not let the helpless in? Oh Take this yoke from me!
Oh take this yoke from me! Have I seen you hungry? And given you no food?
Have I seen you thirsty and refused you a drink? Let it burn in me.
Let it burn in me. Were you sick in prison and I left you by yourself?
Were you clothed in rags in the dead of winter? Let it burn in me.
Let it burn in me. What can I do to easy this pain?
What can I say to sooth my conscience? Where can I go to escape this burden?
Oh take this yoke from me! Oh take this yoke from me! Who'd be my brother's keeper? If I withheld? Who'd fight the cause of the hopeless? If I withheld?
His children would be led to the slaughter If I withheld.
Could I look into the eyes of the Father? If I withheld?

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1.

James 2:14-20: “What good is it my brothers if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action is dead. Some will say, You have faith; I have deeds. Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. You believe that there is one God, Good! Even the demons believe that and shudder. You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?”

I use strong scripture to support my original question- how far are we called or committed to going for God? Maybe do one good deed? Okay, I can take some clothes to the rummage sale this month. It will help me clean my closet. Where is faith in that statement? Or how about the one who has gone in faith yet is powerless to put his faith into action because you have not given what is required? Who, me? Couldn't be! Couldn't be? That's what Neo struggled with and don't we all? Yet Hebrews admonishes us: Faith is what? Being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. How do we know? Through our very own, intimate relationship with God. For isn't that where we sense and know His will for our lives? How did Moses know to stretch out his hand to part the waters of the Red Sea that the Israelites could cross over onto dry land? How did Joshua know he was to take up the command to lead them to cross over the Jordan into their promised land? Did all the Israelites simultaneously decided to believe Moses was who he said he was? How about the disciples about Jesus? Do each one of us have a specific role in the body of Christ?

We each have a rightful place in the Kingdom of God! His Word says that He will be a lamp unto our feet, he lights the way for us. How will we be able to recognize the lamp God has lit for us? We aren't to hide it under a bowl! We are called into relationship with God through Christ via his Holy Spirit. Check out the book of Acts, they watched Jesus ascend into heaven after he told them go back to Jerusalem and wait for the counselor to come, whom my Father promised. They were dismayed and perplexed, sort of stuck where they were after he ascended into heaven. Two angels came and reminded them where they were supposed to be and off they went, back on track to join everyone else waiting.

"When the day of Pentecost came they were all together in one place." That couldn't have been easy! All piled in together, waiting. Did they encounter distractions? Some pressures and stresses? The fishermen must have put out a stench from their fish, and the taxpayer couldn’t have been well liked. There were probably places the world expected them to be, but their Savior told them- wait! A Braveheart moment, there on the battle line with the king's army fast approaching, William Wallace commands them to Hold! Wait!

"Suddenly a sound like a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them." Why had they chosen to be there? What had they witnessed, what had they seen and who had they put their faith, hope and love in that would cause them to abandon everything until the counselor came? That's how far down the rabbit hole of community we are called!

Scripture tells us: "Many are called, few are chosen." So, we ARE called, but do we choose? What about that man who'd gotten into the feast without wedding clothes? Community means more than seeing someone who appears to be in need and responding, “Ah, shame!” It requires fierce commitment to relationship with the one who has need. Ouch! Who wants to go that far? And who is that man without the proper attire? Is he always the one in need? Could we be like him? Knowing where we need to be but not how to get there or what clothes we should wear? How do we get in somewhere without the right clothes? Are we counting on someone else to get us there? Are we counting on our networking relationships; our ascent up the corporate ladders, neighborhoods, committees and churches to get us there instead of relationship with the King of Kings? This is starting to sound like the Tower of Babel! Christ told us He is the Way! So what are we doing building other networks and relationships, keeping up appearances, etc. to cover our proverbial behinds? What will any of that matter in the Kingdom of God? What will matter is whether you have done what you heard God instruct you to do! “Faith comes through hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.” Romans 10:17. Did they not hear? Of course they did!

He Lives In You

Night and God's Spirit of Life... Calling Oh oh, Iyo; Mamala! (Listen) Oh, oh, Iyo And a voice! With the fear of a child answers.... Oh, Oh, Iyo; Mamala! Oh, oh, Iyo Wait! There's no mountain too great! Hear God's word and Have Faith!
Ohhhh Oh, oh Iyo; Have Faith! Hala Hay Mamala, Hala Hay Mamala (Hey Listen!)
He Lives in You! Hala Hay Mamala He lives in me! Hala Hay Mamala
He watches over, Hala Hay Mamala Everything we see. Hala Hay Mamala
Into the Water Into the truth In your reflection! He Lives in You!

"In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." Susan Hill, Blood-N-Fire, RSA Cape Town, South Africa