The Vastness of God

 I had an interesting day on the religious school front yesterday.

 

The day started with one of my very boisterous and curious ADHD first graders getting out of his car mumbling, “I wonder whose face this is…” He was holding a pen with Jesus’s face on it. He had no idea who Jesus was. He doesn’t go to church.

 

The day continued with a 5^th grader becoming exasperated that Native Americans seemed to worship gods other than the God of Christianity. As we watched a quick read-aloud video of a book that honored Native American tradition, she quietly declared, “They had other gods. That means they’re going to the bad place,” and then she pointed downward as in pointing to hell. She does go to church.

 

The day continued with a class declaring that they appreciated their teacher because she tells them about God and Jesus.

 

I felt a bit sad with the childlike ignorance of the first story.

I felt a bit a bit angry with the stereotypical Christian judgment of the second.

And I felt a bit concerned with the third.

 

Do I believe that children need to know about Jesus? Yes.

But do I believe that children need to be taught solely about a Jesus who is going to send people to hell? No.

And do I believe that public school teachers need to teach about God and Jesus in their classrooms? No. I don’t. Not anymore than we would teach about any other religious figures.

 

I know. This may not be a popular opinion. As an evangelical Christian, I’ve been taught that my life’s work is to tell people about Jesus—to share the gospel, to speak the good news of Jesus Christ, to proclaim salvation and forgiveness of sin—but as a mainline Christian, I’m learning that maybe my life’s work is about growing fully into the love and grace of Jesus Christ so that the love and grace of Jesus Christ pour into the lives around me. Maybe it’s about letting God continue to create through me and trusting God to work in the lives of those around me because I cannot force anything on anyone without coercion. Does this mean that I should never speak of the power of Jesus Christ? No. I should use words when necessary. But should I openly teach about God and Jesus in my public-school classroom? No. Not unless a kid shows me a pen with Jesus’s face on it. Or another kid shares bad or damning theology with the class.

 

Dear God: Yesterday was interesting. Help me to never hesitate to identify your face but also help me know the limits of what I should and should not do with my faith. You are ever-growing, ever-expanding, ever-changing, yet somehow remaining the same. You are beyond comprehension, and I thank you for that. Thank you for not being contained in a box—or a pen—or in one story of Who You Are. Forgive our short-sightedness and short-comings. Help us to stand in awe of the vastness of You. And help me, oh God, to bear witness to You by wearing your love on my heart, forehead, and sleeve. Amen.