15-5

Two-Thousand Stairs (from 'Primal' by Mark Batterson)

In Rome, they build new things on top of old things. The new emperor would tear down the palace of his predecessor and build his new palace in the same spot. This is also true of the churches there. There is a church that is standing today that was built in the 11th century, that was built on top of a church that stood in the 4th century, that is built on top of catacombs that were used by Christians in the 2nd century before it was legal to be a Christian. We begin our journey with our author (Mark Batterson) standing in these catacombs. He says that as he stood there, he couldn't help but wonder if our generation hasn't forgotten how inconvenient it is to follow Christ. He says, "I couldn't help but wonder if we have accepted a form of Christianity that is more educated but less powerful, more civilized but less compassionate, more acceptable but less authentic than that which our spiritual ancestors practiced." I mean, we have come a long way from the catacombs haven't we? We now have 'pews and pulpits, songs, committees, liturgies, creeds and cannons' that our ancestors didn't have. I mean come on, we get upset when the air conditioning stops working! I'm not saying that any of these things are bad or that we shouldn't have them. But I, along with Mark Batterson, wonder 'when all of the superficialities are stripped away, what is the primal essence of Christianity?'

We could discuss that all night, but let me make a suggestion. Let's start with what Jesus said was the greatest commandment. "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength." Simple right? Well, simple to remember maybe. But much more difficult to implement in your life. Jesus made knowing what to do simple, but there is a difference between simple and easy. Many people want Christianity to be simple AND easy. That is why when things get tough in their lives or when they come across something they don't understand, their faith fades quickly. This is not the Christianity we are talking about. Christianity is simple, but it is also difficult.

How do you love God with your heart, soul, mind and strength? It takes everything you have all of the time. There isn't a day off coming. Mark Batterson says, "The heart of Christianity is primal compassion. The soul of Christianity is primal wonder. The mind of Christianity is primal curiosity. And the strength of Christianity is primal energy." Our goal is to have a love for God that is worth living and dying for.

As we go through this book together, I hope we can come back to the place where our faith began. A place where we know that God loves us and we love Him, and nothing else matters. Do you have a 'personal catacomb' in your life? A place where it all started. Do you remember that time? Do you remember that place? Maybe it was a sermon or a mission trip or a retreat or a dream or a vow. Whatever it was, I hope that our study will bring you all the way back to that place. "The place where loving God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength is all that matters." The quest for the lost soul of Christianity begins there."

Enjoy the Journey