no carry on luggage

No Carry-On

Out&About in Saturday’s PC News-Herald headlined a piece by Michael Lister, “Kindness never out of fashion.” He includes a quote by the Dalai Lama, “My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness.” Shades of the Savior! Sounds like Jesus of Nazareth two thousand years ago: Love. Love God, Love Neighbor. This is my commandment, that you love one another.

The luggage of doctrines, dogma, creeds, rubrics, canons, tradition, denominations, customs, organizations, councils and beliefs the church has tossed into its baggage car have little to do with Jesus of Nazareth whose disciple we claim to be. Much to do with authority and control, little to do with everyday life, naught to do with Jesus. 

Christianity should be a jumbo jet with roomy comfortable seats, no baggage compartment, no under-seat storage or overhead compartments. No carry-on luggage. Only the Word, carried in the heart and on the lips, and lived on the journey -- 

chesed agape’ lovingkindness in Jesus’ name and for His sake. Amen.

TW+