I am beginning to realize how much of our lives are lived out according to a script handed to us by others. The scripts we receive are handed to us by our parents, our teachers, our church, our friends, and our spiritual mentors. Though this is certainly expected, I have to ask, “Who authored the script?”
Living by a script requires me to perform accordingly. The essence of the script is a guide to how I am to live my life. Departure from the script is interpreted as a flawed performance.
There is even more pressure to perform appropriately when the same script is adopted by many (as in the church script.) The church script is characterized by faith, faithfulness, service, compassion, sacrifice, giving, study, and participation. Those who do well in their performance are rewarded with the title “good church members.” Others are judged for their “poor performance.”
What seems rather wrong is that few if any people following the Christian script experience joy, peace, rest and freedom (the very things Jesus promised to His followers). Instead there is guilt, striving, and judgment. Since we aren’t experiencing what Jesus told us to expect, we conclude that we must be “doing it wrong.” So we feel guilty, strive harder, and feel more miserable; or we fault the script passed to us, and begin our revisions. All along we tell ourselves that at least we are trying hard to follow the script.
Consider this: what if the script is flawed?
At first my thought was that we need to re-write the script, but I don’t think that’s right either. Just as soon as you begin to list the things we ought to do (our lines, actions, and part to play) then we eliminate much of the other stuff as non-essential or less important. A hierarchy of important roles develops again, giving us the same aspirations for achievement, and the same grounds for judging others. We have just substituted a new script that will lead to the same performance based living.
What would it look like to live life unscripted?
At first this is scary, “What will I do if I don’t have the script to follow?” Life will quickly spiral out of control (my control) and will result in chaos!
But hear the words of Jesus, He says, “Follow Me.” He doesn’t say, “Follow my script.” Life becomes an improvisation, a dialogue between Jesus and us. I have to go where He goes, and do what He does. On any given day He may redirect our path, take us in a new direction, have us sit and be still, or anything else He chooses.
People love to write scripts for others. Well-intentioned Christians have been doing it for ages. Here are some excerpts from some scripts I found in the drawer.
“Don’t drink, don’t smoke, don’t chew; don’t hang around with those who do.”
“Men shouldn’t wear skirts, and women shouldn’t wear pants.”
“Be at church every time the doors are open.”
“Don’t listen to rock-n-roll.”
“Tithe.”
What is interesting is that every new generation tends to reject the script of their parents, and in their “youthful wisdom and insight” they craft a “better” script. Couched in the terms of righteousness they fall into the same trap of every generation before them. They may begin by using a noble phrase like “what would Jesus do?” But then they proceed to write the new script according to their insight: Jesus would feed the homeless. Jesus would live under a bridge. Jesus would have no possessions. Jesus would never drive an SUV. Jesus would never watch TV or listen to the radio. Jesus would not attend church. Jesus would go to bars and nightclubs. And so the “new” script is crafted, the new standard for “performance” established, and the new ground for elevating ourselves and judging others is canonized.
But what if EVERY script is flawed?
What if Jesus didn’t come with a “new script,” but a way to live an improvisational life? A life that was moment by moment attuned to the Father’s direction. Do this now. Now do this. Now do this. This is the life of Jesus. He never spoke (or acted) of His own initiative, but only that which the Father gave Him to say (or do).
On any given day He may tell me to feed the homeless, or to study scripture, or visit the sick, or pray with my family, or work at my job. On another day, He may tell me to rest from my labor, take a nap, clean the garage, mow the yard, and pray for my neighbor. On another day I may be led to spend it in solitude and silence, totally disengaged from the world. The next day may be spent going door-to-door sharing the gospel message. There is no script! There is only listening to His direction and improvising along the way. No one has the right to judge the actions of another as “not performing according to the script.” God’s direction for our lives is as unique as each one of us is as an individual. (Please don’t tell me that how I am following God is wrong, unless it is clear contradiction of scripture; and I will try to refrain from framing the Christian life as scripted according to my understanding.)
God doesn’t desire a performance, but a friendship; a relationship founded on love, respect, trust, and good will. This is the path to rest, freedom, peace, and joy. It cannot be placed into a uniform script for everyone to follow. It is dynamic and new, life-changing, and life-giving. It is the well-spring of life bubbling forth in your soul. It is spontaneous and creative, but ordered by God, and compassionate. It is a day-by-day journey that consumes your entire life.
Is there any objective standard? What about sin?
There are clear prohibitions in scripture (what not to do); likewise there are clear proscriptions in scripture (what to do). There is no right time to do the wrong thing, so prohibitions stand. Regarding the timing, balance, and depth of engagement in proscribed activities, these are left to the leadership of the Spirit.
Apart from Him you can do nothing!
There is no script to follow. Instead there is a person, a voice, and a guiding hand. There are some prohibitions and some proscriptions, but what is required most is a keen sensitivity to the leadership of the Spirit. Success is evident in Christ-likeness and the fruit of the Spirit. Where the result is less than love, joy, peace, etcetera…we must assume that we are following a flawed script, rather than following Christ.
