Have you ever noticed that as Jesus, the long awaited Messiah, began his
earthly ministry he drew large crowds? The people of that time thirsted for
hope, hungered for justice, longed for a word from God and Jesus was their
answer so they flocked to hear him, see him, touch him…at least for awhile. But
in three short years the crowds grew smaller. In the end, even Jesus’ small
band of disciples deserted him in fear and as he hung on the cross only a few
were there to suffer with him.
How does the Son of God so quickly lose his popularity? It was always
meant to be that way. Jesus never
intended for any of us to live our spiritual lives vicariously through Him.
He didn’t come to create a new cult and set himself up as the leader. His
purpose was always to lead us back to life with the Father. Dare I say it…Jesus is NOT the subject…he is the way…the verb that reconnects us with God. Jesus wouldn’t allow his
disciples to be satisfied with a vicarious spirituality that depended on him as
the focal point. For that reason he challenged his disciple to grow up, to own
their stuff, to speak out, to share, to let go, to try and fail, to be full and
active partners in establishing the Kingdom that God has designed.
We continue to be a vicarious culture. Our real lives aren’t interesting
or fulfilling enough so we live vicariously through other means. We vicariously
feel important through famous people who have made it big. We live vicariously
in the home of our dreams through HDTV. We vicariously run, pass, and play
while seated comfortably in our easy chairs watching endless hours of sports
programming. We vicariously experience romance through the Hallmark channel and
adventure through Bear Grylls. We have vicarious sex on pornographic websites
and meaningful friendships through clicks and emoticons on social networks… and
on and on it goes.
Often, even our spiritual life is lived vicariously through the church’s
weekend programming or through someone who we consider close to God…like maybe a pastor.
In this season of transition as I step aside as Lead Pastor of
Crossroads church and as we wait for God to bring a new leader, I simply want
to remind you that your life with God cannot be lived vicariously through
Jesus, through a saintly family member, through a Bible teacher, through church
activities, through comfortable Christian traditions, through me or any pastor
from the past or that is yet to come.
We are all instruments to connect you
to real life with God.
God calls you into relationship
with him.
God calls you to be salt and
light to the world.
God calls you to love as
Christ loved.
God calls you to do justice,
love mercy and walk humbly with God.
God sends you out into the
world to make an impact.
Don’t settle for a vicarious spirituality!
It’s time to grow up, own your stuff, to speak out, to share, to let go,
to try and fail, to live as a disciple, to be full and active partners with God
in establishing the Kingdom He has designed.
Go live…really live!
Randy Bargerstock
Lead Pastor
Crossroads Church of God
Lima, Ohio
*Pastor Randy will step aside as Lead Pastor of Crossroads Church on
July 31st, 2014 to pursue the next challenge that God is preparing.
This is his last Blog entry on this site. He plans to share further reflections
on his own Blog site in the near future.
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