Being a Part-Time Christian

I’m a part-time Christian. I came to this rather unsettling conclusion in reading the Christian writer Frederick Buechner who had the courage to say, “I am a part-time novelist who happens also to be a part-time Christian because part of the time seems to be the most I can manage to live out my faith: Christian part of the time when certain things seem real and important to me and the rest of the time not Christian in any sense that I can believe matters much to Christ or anyone else…. From time to time I find a kind of heroism momentarily possible—a seeing, doing, telling of Christly truth—but most of the time I am indistinguishable from the rest of the herd that jostles and snuffles to the great trough of life.”

            I think that Buechner is right to point out that in the mundane details of our lives, Christians are no different from any other person. Christians don’t shop for groceries with a deep-seated purpose unknown to others. Christians don’t find a deeper meaning in cleaning the bathroom. But all of those mundane things are the other stuff, the rest of life. Getting first things first can be a helpful way to keep the minor stuff minor.

                        In deciding what is a priority, I turn to the Bible. God’s Word, now revealed to us in scripture, is very important. But it is not enough for us to merely read it and understand. We have to also do something about it. God’s Word should transform our lives, changing our behavior as well.

            The Gospel of Luke (Luke 10:25-41) tells us that Jesus met a man who knew the scripture backwards and forwards, but somehow missed the meaning. To that man he told the story of the Good Samaritan to show how faith should be put into action. Then the next story is of Mary and Martha. Martha was so busy serving that she too was missing the meaning of Jesus. To the lawyer Jesus says, “Stop studying and do something about it.” To Martha Jesus says, “Stop your busyness and listen.”

            If we were to ask Jesus, “Does the parable of the Good Samaritan apply to my life? Or is it the story of Martha and Mary?,” Jesus answer would probably be “Yes.” Because at different times, each of these stories applies to each of us.

            If you find yourself busy with many things, but never making time to read the Bible and pray, then the story of Mary and Martha should be speaking to you. The things that busy your life may be good and necessary, but should they have your top priority?

            What comes first for you now? Job, friends, family, relationship with God, mundane tasks. All of these demand time. How much time do you have to give to each? Many people say that their family and faith are most important, but it’s a challenge to put those priorities into action. What do you want to be first in your life? The story of Mary and Martha is a wake up call to look at your priorities.

            But, if you do find the time for prayer and Bible study, without allowing what you read and study to be transformed into service toward others, then you might want to reread the Parable of the Good Samaritan to find out if God is speaking to you through that story. Perhaps you need to put your faith into action.

            Jesus’ challenge is not one-size fits all. Each of us is at a different point in our spiritual journeys. Someone reading this column is just hoping to survive another day. Another reader is looking for meaning and purpose in life. You may be in a time of study or a time of action. All of us probably need more balance.

            You can’t spend most of the year bogged down with busyness getting yourself turned inside out only to try unkink all those aching stressed muscles on an even busier vacation.             You can’t do it all. Something usually has to go.

            The way to let go of the stress is to set and keep your own priorities. Realize that while you can only be a part-time Christian, you can make the most of that part-time job so that it infuses all of your life with meaning and purpose.

            Decide what the main things in your life are and then give them your best time, your best energy, then the rest of the things you need to do will get the rest of your time not the best of it. The day-to-day stuff does have to get done, but it does not have to become your life, just your other part-time job.

            (The Rev. Frank Logue is pastor of King of Peace Episcopal Church in Kingsland.)

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