faithfulness as a worthy ambition
A gospel proclamation for our modern world: "I am loved at my least productive"
In a recent small group conversation with Pastor Duke Kwon (Co-Author of Reparations: A Christian Call for Repentance & Repair), he reminded those gathered that one of the most noble things we can pursue in our short life is simply to be faithful.
In a world filled with the idols of progress, success, wealth, and fame, Jesus reminds us that we are called to take up our cross and follow him. This work of dying to ourselves makes us, by the standards of the world, quite ordinary and easily forgotten. This is okay. We shouldn’t idolize worldly success. It doesn’t mean much. Instead, we ought to find comfort in the truth that God loves us in our ordinariness and forgetfulness.
Instead, we ought to pursue faithfulness as a worthy ambition. Indeed, faithfulness is truly ambitious because it is so hard. Apart from God it is impossible.
The Latest:
Read my latest piece in Shared Justice, a publication of the Center for Public Justice: American Identity Reframed
In this article, I argue that religious freedom offers us a vibrant, pluralistic vision where diverse experiences and beliefs not only co-exist, but are equally celebrated and respected. This hopeful imagination of human flourishing and common good is one where stories are shared, neighbors are loved, and pluralism thrives in our nation.
Reading:
Bruce L. McCormack, “What has Basel to Do with Berlin? Continuities in the Theologies of Barth and Schleiermacher” in Orthodox and Modern: Studies in the Theology of Karl Barth (Baker Academic, 2008)
Helen Jin Kim, Race for Revival: How Cold War South Korea Shaped the American Evangelical Empire (OUP, 2022)
Watching:
Dune (HBO Max)
Better Call Saul - Season 5 (Netflix)
Listening:
Atlanta - John Mark McMillan
The Off-Season (Album) - J. Cole