Practicing Resurrection

On Sunday, April 1, 2007, I got to hear Shane Claiborne share some powerful thoughts about living the life of an ordinary radical at Wide Eyed Life. He is part of a faith community called The Simple Way in Philadelphia. I could go on and on about how he and his book (Irresistible Revolution: Living the Life of an Ordinary Radical) have influenced me. More accurately, he and his book have given validation and expression to where my faith journey has been going already.

One of several things that Shane mentioned that has really stuck with me is that he and his friends try to “practice resurrection.” What a word picture. One of the central tenets of Christianity is the concept of renewal, with a hope of resurrection. It is hard to understand and see, since we don’t see physically resurrected people walking about town (at least I don’t recognize any!). But, our faith can grow through the process of seeing other things resurrected. It gives us hope and helps us understand it a bit better. For example, when someone repairs and remodels an old house, people can see the resemblance to the original, and yet it is different, beautiful, new, and vibrant. Sometimes walls are town down and put elsewhere, but in general, the floor plan is the same; yet it is almost unrecognizable. Doesn’t that describe the common understanding of the “final” resurrection?

So what does it mean to “practice resurrection?” Well, for one thing, it means to be involved in a renewal project, whether it be a house, a neighborhood, an economy, or someone’s career or spiritual life. Shouldn’t Christ-followers be involved in the same activities that Jesus was involved in? From the beginning, Jesus was involved in creation. But Jesus incarnated to re-create (renew, resurrect) things around him. But practicing resurrection also develops and exercises our faith in the concept of resurrection. If we believe that an old, run-down house can be resurrected, and we work to make it happen, we begin to see how our own resurrection is both currently, and ultimately, taking place.

May God grant me the strength to live a life where I practice resurrection.