De-caffeinated Lent

I was listening to NPR earlier this week and I heard a story about energy drinks.  There's lot to say about the topic in general (e.g. is it right to label energy drinks as food vs. health supplement?) but the thing that was on my mind as I heard the piece was "why is the energy drink market exploding?" (to the point where caffeinated fruit juices by Minute Maid are soon to be released).  After working through chapter 5 about community in the Tangible Kingdom with fellow sojourners in our missional community one answer stuck out to me.  As a society we've so thoroughly packed our lives full of stuff to do, responsibilities to fulfill, and entertainment to consume that we need energy drinks just to make it through the day.  We're hurried, unrestful, and individualized people.

With Lent approaching and those thoughts rattling around in my head I started thinking about myself and our community.  If I've ever had an energy drink it was only a handful of times.  However, I drink a lot of coffee.  I tell myself that it isn't about the caffeine, but that I really like the taste of it ;).  The reality is probably more a combination of the two.

For my Lenten disciplines I like to both "take off" (e.g. no desserts) and "put on" (e.g use a devotional daily) and when they fit together even better.  Even better than that, is when I have people sharing in the experience with me.  A couple years back me and a friend both gave up alcohol for Lent.  Being able to share in that experience (and celebrate the end of it at Easter) made the season even more meaningful.

That brings me to an idea...  For Lent, I won't drink coffee unless I drink it with a friend; unless I intentionally set aside time, go out of the way, and engage in community with another person.  Lets use caffeine to subvert the stampede of busyness and individualism!  Who's with me?!!

The fact that I love coffee hasn't changed so I'm depending on you to help me out.  Anytime you want a coffee feel free to drop by our house or invite me out. ;)

What would Jesus do?

Sometimes, I get to thinking about where Jesus would be if he lived in the world today. And in the last few months, I've decided that Jesus would definitely be a waitress!

Jesus lived off of the land-- gleaning from people's leftovers. Waitresses live off of people's leftover dollars and sometimes their pennies.

For all the public events recorded, Jesus spent most of his time being invisible. In many of the accounts, Jesus runs away from crowds, or quietly heals someone and then heads off on his way. He never seems to say, "Hey! Over here! Listen to me! I'm important!" On the contrary-- he just starts talking, and then people listen in-- and more and more until there's a big crowd. Then at the END, he says, "He who has ears, let him hear."

Waitresses are all about being invisible. People look at you funny if you act like a real person. You're supposed to be smooth-- never drop anything, never check on people too often. You are just the noone who serves the food and refills the waters. It's amazing how often people keep talking about deeply personal details when you're standing right there taking their plate.