Limiting the Infinite

"Who can fathom the Spirit of the LORD, or instruct the LORD as his counselor?"
-Isaiah 40:13

Awhile ago, my good friend Justin told me of a time when he was asked a question by a child about maturity. "How did you become so mature?" the child asked. Justin responded by telling him "I became mature when I realized that I will always have room to grow."

Growing up, I often looked to the adults in my life for answers as if they were the image of ultimate truth. Whenever I had a question about our beliefs that I didn't understand, I was told that one day I might be able to better understand once I reached a point of "spiritual maturity". This image of maturity that I was given seemed to be a place where all the answers were fixed, specific and indisputable, a place that you could arrive to. To have faith in God was to believe in all of the right answers, or at least the ones I was told, but to arrive at something means that you have decided to stop somewhere.

"For it was the Father's good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself." Colossians 1:19-20 

Perhaps our fear of diversity, (be it worldview, interests, race, orientation, sex, age or dogma) is created when we forget that all things are being reconciled to the truth. My hope in writing this is not to prove, or disprove, anyone right or wrong, but to remind us of how important it is to listen to perspectives that our different than ours, because we never know who God will use to talk to us! In "Faith Rooted Organizing", by Alexia Salvatierra, Alexia breaks down the meaning of the word "angels" in Hebrews 13:2. "Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it." Here Alexia discusses how angels can be described as a "messenger of God", which is not necessarily referring to a celestial being, but simply someone who delivers a message from God.

 Last year my roommate Caleb introduced me to a phrase that has proven true in most situations, "There is no such thing as comfortable growth". I think it is a common desire to be around people with similar perspectives as us, it's comfortable. But if growth is something we value, maybe it is time to start bringing people into our lives who are unfamiliar, strangers, angels to challenge ourselves with new insight and understanding. When we only expose ourselves to 1 way of viewing the world, God, or the Bible we begin to limit the infinite to our own understanding. 

-A poem I wrote this summer trying to express my desire for each generation to hear what the other has to say-

You see I've got this problem, you see we've got this problem that's laying in front of us. Because there are so many youth that hang on our words and actions as if they were speaking ultimate truth, I know I did. There are minds waiting to thrive, open eyes awaiting the next line while ours remain blind. Edward Snowden was a great reminder that someone is always watching, but we are big brother and big sister to those who come after us.

That is a big role! And I don't know about you, but I am NOT the image of perfection. I am just a reflection. Like everyone else, I am avoiding detection of eyes that seek to find section up section of lies that have compromised the ties between me and the divine whose life was undermined by the religious side of society's  standard. So instead of trying to meet the status quo of religious zeal, let's be real. When has the colonization of beliefs ever ended suffering or brought relief?

I want to to know that even if I made mistakes, I'll be alright.

I want you to show me how your darkness has turned into light.

I want to know that I am accepted, regardless of where I came from.

I want to see someone admit their wrongs, instead of being the one to place the blame on.

So although we tend to apprehend the ones whose relationships we need to mend instead of trying to bend them into what is more comfortable to end with, lets try to hear from those who we usually aren't friends with. Because when all the voices around us start to sound the same, it may be time to stand somewhere new.

Much love,

-Charlie

Simple Livining, Year 2 (October Newsletter)

What do you bring to the table? "Jesus replied: “A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready. But they all alike began to make excuses. ... The servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.’ -Luke 16-18 and 21      At the beginning of each orientation in Mission Year, our meetings begin with being told that "God is in the City." In contrast to a lot of other missional programs , that can suggest that bringing the gospel somewhere means pioneering a way of thought, Mission Year has challenged me to question what it means to fully live out the gospel. If God is "overall, and in all, and through all", (According to Paul in Ephesians 4:6) then when I move into a new city, I am not going to bring God, but going to meet God.      Coming out of my first year, the need of building relationships, rather than trying to change people to my way of thinking, has proven to be a much more authentic way of showing love. I have seen that building relationships connects to people through our humanity, instead of trying to hide our humanity under theology. Building relationships has shown me the mutual need for love and acceptance, rather than trying to become a resource.      At the banquet Jesus talked about in Luke 16, we see that the people who "had it together" don't even show up to the party! Instead, we see people who are willing to admit that they are hurting, that they can't see their next step, and people who don't know how move forward, people who see their humanity. Jesus shows us that all who come to "the table" are suffering in some way. A Philadelphia team member shared some insight about this passage and described the banquet more as a holy potluck. A place where all both eat, and bring something to the table.  Simple Living This second year of simple living has started off very well! I am currently working as an Educational Paraprofessional for Esperanza charter school in Northeast Philly. My position entails a role very similar to a teachers assistant in the classroom, and a mentor/counselor figure during my free periods. It has been an incredible experience getting to know the students in the school, a lot of whom like to refer to me as "Jesus". So, when students have been whispering or talking too much in class this past month, I like to remind them that Jesus listens ! As I am settling into my new rhythm of life, I am also trying to remember the importance to set aside time to pursue my passions. These past few weeks, I have had the pleasure to volunteer in the Simple Way gardens. The Simple Way gardens have three different lots, on which I have seen an aquaponics system, a raised bed garden, murals, fruits, veggies, a few composting bins and more! This month, I plan to make contact with a Collaborative Arts non-profit, Yes! And.. , and hope to develop my background in theater into a tool of transformation for both me and the community around me. MEET MY TEAM ! Top Row: Adam, Amber Bottom Row: Me, Sophy Hey folks, I could use your help! As I try to live out this second year of intentionally learning, living and loving any prayers or words or encouragement would be greatly appreciated. I also have a financial need of $5,000 dollars to help fund my full immersion into this way of life that covers all of my living expenses for the year, including groceries, public transportation, rent and more. I welcome your partnership this year and invite you to consider becoming a one-time or monthly donor.  I am equally thankful for your ongoing spiritual and financial support. I pray that God blesses you in all that you do this month and would encourage you in the pursuit to love your neighbor as yourself! Much love, -CHARLIE https://missionyear.thankyou4caring.org/charlieoconnor