Coffee Talk

Okay, okay, I’ll admit it: I was eavesdropping. I couldn’t help it, really. The woman across the way was so excited she was hard to ignore. And, really, let’s be honest: we all listen in on other’s conversations once in a while.

I’d been sitting in the coffee shop for quite some time. It’s one of my favorite places to hang out. I love the environment, the java, the spicy mango salad, and the friendliness of the staff. Everything there is first rate.

They even have free wireless internet (unlike the big guys, who make you pay to use their air space). Settling into one of their well-worn weather chairs, computer propped on the left, bagel and coffee on the right, knees in my lap, I’m ready for some serious sur — I mean working!

Anyway, I was minding my own business the other day when I overheard pieces of a conversation. “You won’t believe the miracles I’ve seen; I should write a book about it!” she said. I perked up, wondering where this was leading. “I go up near Pinnacle Peak — I’m convinced it’s got just as much energy as Sedona — and I offer up my intentions. Whatever’s up there, God, or whatever, it really seems to work. I’ve seen miracles happen.”

Their enthusiastic conversation continued along fairly predictable lines. I mused about Christianity: In the marketplace of religious ideas, what is unique about its message? If a person has a meaningful spiritual experience at the base of a mountain, isn’t that just as good as the spiritual feeling I get in church or in reading the Bible? Are all spiritual ideas, like items on the dessert tray, matters of personal preference? What, if anything, is uniquely attractive about Christianity?

In a moment, I knew the answer: others look at the mountain and see grandeur or perhaps an intelligent Designer, but a Christ-follower associates that same feeling of awe with a Loving Personality who thinks and feels, and who desires a relationship with human beings uniquely designed and created in love. Others look to a spiritual leader for inspiration, ideals, and instruction, but Christians look to a spiritual leader whose grave is empty, and who gives them what they believe is a personal, vibrant, ongoing, living relationship with him.

I fully respect and admire every person’s spiritual journey, and would never think of disparaging anyone or their belief system. I think anyone who knows me would vouch for me on that issue. But let us be honest: there is a HUGE difference between following a spiritual leader and his ideas — versus believing that your spiritual leader desires a personal relationship with you. And there is a vast chasm between a faith which makes you one with the universe, and a faith which makes you one with the Creator of the universe.

Christians (and others, to be honest) are always trying to reduce Christianity to a creed (something to believe); a code (some way to behave); or a club (somewhere to belong). But any spiritual system or teaching can offer this: take your pick. What’s unique about Christianity is CHRIST — a living, vital, vibrant, dynamic, growing relationship with the God who made us and loves us.

The distinction is absolutely critical. Perhaps that’s why the apostle Paul wrote, in a verse we camped on in Sanctuary a week ago, “I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better” (Eph 1:17).

It’s an audacious claim — arrogant, really — unless … unless … it’s true. Hmmm. Probably worth checking into, don’t you think? And if you ever want to talk about it over coffee, I know a great place!