People Who Normally Would Not Mix
Imagine a sinking ship.
Urgency. Life and death. A lifeboat full of low-wage boat crew has one spot left. Now imagine the wealthiest guy on the ship. The one with perfect fashion sense. Great hair and stylish eyewear. Well-connected. How absurd would it be for him to be invited onto the poor lifeboat and say,
“Oh. No thanks, I’d much prefer to survive in a better-dressed boat.”
Need and urgency is a great unifier. When it’s life or death, things we thought mattered are cast aside. We jump in boats we might not have before.
Alcoholics Anonymous describes itself as a fellowship of “people who normally would not mix.” (Alcoholics Anonymous, 17) I reckon that’s a great aspiration for Christians seeking the renewal and revival of the burning core of Christian life – prayer. Australian church historian Dr. Stuart Piggin talks about three dynamics that precede revival, one of which is ‘unexpected unity’. To me, that sounds a lot like being “people who normally would not mix.”
I am seeing and hearing things that get me hopeful. There are pockets of shocking disregard for reputation, style and personality.
The original gathering that became the Asbury Revival has been described as “a badly run prayer meeting.” This moment was marked by humility, confession of sin, and a need for God’s spirit. I’ve heard there was an utter disregard for big names keen to visit and take their turn leading prayer. Apparently, humility and desperation before God is more important than fame or award-winning musical quality.
Many of us are hearing, sensing or saying that we need a move away from platforms, programmes, profit and personalities. Let’s go!
It’s natural to have a sub-conscious preference for our tribe. But our instincts here can leave others saying to themselves “I am not a part of the body” (1 Corinthians 12:15-16), regardless of whether we’ve thought or said, “I don’t need you” (12:21).
I’m delighting in, looking for, praying for and working for expressions of unexpected unity – dripping with the holy and desperate vibe of “people who normally would not mix.”
Bishops and punters. Well-resourced churches with all the resources and little groups that don’t feel they have much to add. Expert front-tuck fashionistas and lads who rock up in jandals. Women of colour and white guys. Colourful and conservative. Catholic Charismatics and Contemplative Pentecostals. Experienced elders and enthusiastic youth.
I’m so up for this. Not simply for a display of award-winning diversity, but to be part of a collection of people who would normally not mix – brought together by a sense of life-or death desperation on the sea of life in God’s kingdom.
What could God do through such an unexpectedly unified people?