"Bold"

"Therefore, since we have such hope, we act very boldly."

- 2 Corinthians 3:12 (NAB)

I think I got my first "lack of caffeine" headache the other day.  I still want to believe it is just psychological, with no medical certainty.  I am not really sure what to make of it, but there it was.  The remedy?  A venti Gold Coast Blend from Starbucks.  Extra bold.  Not bold.  EXTRA BOLD.  Better than a pill, the coffee worked its medicinal purpose, sending my headache away.

I probably cannot blame anyone but myself.  Over the last twenty years, my coffee preferences have gravitated towards the extra bold.  Folgers and Maxwell house no longer offer the same satisfaction as the selections offered at my local Starbucks.  As I read this passage of Scripture the other day while drinking a nice travel mug of Starbucks Christmas Blend, I begin to wonder what my "spiritual blend" is.

Some like their Christianity as a nice little morning diversion to help them "get moving" for the day.  Maybe something a little light and gentle.  A relationship with the Creator is not something to get all worked up about.  God is there when He is needed.  The church has other people doing stuff.  The Bible is ok, I guess, but why read it everyday.  It is a nice easy blend of Christianity.  It is enjoyble, but ultimately, you really do not have to deal with the headaches.

Others like a little more "kick" to their Christianity.  A richer, more balnced blend, if you will.  They take their places at the church.  They love the great old stories of the Bible.  They can tell you about the life of Jesus, quote spiritual maxims, and tell you about the "good ol' days of the church", all while feeling really good about it.  It is a nice blend.  It showcases our spirituality without being too radical.  It is one that, for a moment, can give you a little satisfaction.

And then there are those apostle Paul types.  No watered down Christianity for them.  No cream or sugar, please.  In fact, a couple of shots of espresso will top off that extra bold, extra tall cup of power surge really nice, thank you.  What type of Christianity does this look like?  It is a radical abandonment to the Father for a divine purpose.  It is not for the faint of heart.  There is nothing safe or gentle about it.  In 2 Corinthians, Paul speaks of great pressure that called into question his own endurance (1:8 - 10), anguish of heart (2:4), carrying the death of Jesus, so his life might be revealed (4:10 - 12).  Notice Paul's words in chapter 6:

³ We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. ⁴ Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; ⁵ in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; ⁶ in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; ⁷ in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; ⁸ through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; ⁹ known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; ¹⁰ sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything (NIV).

Now that's boldness!  Why could Paul be so bold?  He knew the hope he had.  A relationship with God gave him a hope, not only in the present, but in the life to come.  When Paul locked on to that, He could do nothing except to act with boldness.  The greek word "parrhesia" means "freedom and frankness in speech."  It also carries the meaning of "free and fearless confidence."  There is no way Paul would travel this road if it were not for the hope he had.  This was born out of his relationship with God.

So, what is your blend?  The easy way might bring minimal satisfaction, but true Christianity is about abandoning ourselves to the Father.  When we discover the hope that we have been given, and when we realize that we are messengers of that hope, watered down Christianity does not work anymore.  Yeah, there are some headaches when participating at this level.  Oh, but how good it is when we see God at work!

I could say more, but my mug is empty and I am going to visit some of the shut ins.  I think there is a Starbucks on the way.