Living ‘as if’

“We live as if there is political space”

Adam Michnik (leading figure in the Polish “Solidarity” movement) speaking about how, during a particularly oppressive time in  Communist Poland, he and others involved in the struggle for democracy lived as if  their was political freedom even though at that point in time political freedom in Poland seemed impossible.

I have been thinking about that idea of living ‘as if’ in the context of Christian faith.

How different would this world look if followers of Jesus lived ‘as if’ the Kingdom of God was a reality now (even though the Kingdom of God seems an impossible reality in this world now)?

When I imagine what the Kingdom of God might be like I imagine a place where people get on regardless of age, sex, background, ethnicity, a place that is free from violence and hate, a place that is peace focused, a  place where everyone looks after everyone else, a place where people actually put the needs of others above their own, a place where everyone has the same (and if for some reason someone didn’t have the same they would do everything possible to ensure that person got what they needed), a place free of greed, a place where people treat the world they live in as a gift not as a resource to be used without regard to meet their ever demanding needs, a place free of sickness and disease, a place full of love, a place of worship to the King of Kings.

Putting side the ongoing discussion about what happens in the end*, the question for me remains, in light of the fact that God has something better for the world (that will carry on into eternity) are we living that something better now?

If we were living in the Kingdom of God how would we feel about our level materialism?  Would we see a life filled with excess shoes, clothes, electronics, luxury cars and big houses as un-needed (perhaps unacceptable) when some people have no shoes, clothes, food or housing?

How would we treat the environment and the resources it has to offer?  Would we see the world and its resources (as it seems we do at the moment) as ours to be exploited and used however we see fit or would we see the resources of  the world as a gift from God which are to be protected and shared equally among all people?

Would we rethink the way we do community?  Would we be more inclusive?  If we lived in the Kingdom of God would our communities be ones where all people regardless of background, race, gender, sexuality, education or social status would come together as equals (in this world sometimes I wonder if the class system is still alive and well)?

How would we treat the build up of military weapons and the use of them against countries that don’t hold our particular view point?  Will ever actually take the call of Jesus to love our enemies and to turn the other cheek seriously?

What about the poor, oppressed and disenfranchised, those on the fringe of society?  What would our reaction to them be if Kingdom of God was a reality now?  Would we be doing everything in our power to ensure that they knew they were loved and cared for and that their needs were met?

Are we really willing to take up our cross and follow Jesus?  Are we willing to turn on our materialistic behaviour.  Are we willing to actively protect the world and the resources God has given all people?  Are we willing to get out of our comfort zones and form communities in the places we live that are welcoming to everybody not just people who are the same as us?  Are we willing to stand up against war and the idea that bombing people because they bombed us first is OK.   Are we willing to extend kindness, love and support to the poor and oppressed and stand with them against the structures, policies and laws that keep them in poverty?  Are we willing to start living today the way we will live (and continue to live) when God puts it all back together?

I believe as followers of Jesus we must.  We must not treat this life and world as a waiting room for something better.  I believe we should actively be working to see God’s “Kingdom come” and His “will be done on earth as it is in Heaven” now.

Author and activist Jim Wallis says “Today, we need those who are willing to live as if an alternative vision is possible.  Even when the possibility of real change seems quite dim – and especially then – history needs people who believe that change is possible and are willing to bet their lives on it.”

Will followers of Jesus be that people?

* There is a discussion going on about what happens in the end.  Do those who belong to Christ (and thats up to Him to decide not humans) go to a new place (Heaven) or does in some profound way God through Jesus redeem, reconcile and put back to together this earth the way he originally intended it to be (Heaven and earth become one).  That one can wait for another blog entry.