Get this book from the King County Library

Once in a while a book comes along that hits like a brick.  In this book Goetz is unabashed and direct.  He lays out what he calls “environmental toxins” which are endemic to the suburbs.  Then he couples with each of those toxins “spiritual practices” 

But first he describes the suburban environment in general, saying that he thinks people in the suburbs live thin lives – lives that are one the surface.  He says that we all need to live a “thicker life.”  That is a life of many layers and multiple dimensions – and God meets us in the deeper dimensions of life.  And a part of our problem, according to Goetz, is that we are just too busy.

Add to that (soccer) the suburban environment of security, efficiency, and opportunities – and the overindulged self, which desperately needs all three – and spirituality morphs into activities:  Bible studies, small group meetings, reading yet another best-seller book on the key to victorious Christian living…

Do you see what I mean by “direct”?  What’s wrong with soccer?  I want to say.  But then again I do have problems with soccer on Sunday mornings.

The first dyad: “environmental toxin” and “spiritual practice” is

  I am in control of my life
  Prayer and silence

Does this touch a few hearts, I wonder?  “Doesn’t our environment push us to be busy to the point where we do not have time for ourselves, even our families?  Goetz says that “inside space” is the mustard seed of a life with God, and that we cannot have a “deeper life” and be busy at the same time

I am what I do and what I own
Journey through the self

In this section Goetz talks about what he calls “immortality symbols” – things that we feel make our lives feel immortal (most often unconsciously).  He gave number of examples, but the one that caught my attention is our “successful children.”  That would be to place the success of our children on a pedestal where it becomes a way for our lives to feel meaningful and immortal.  He says be need to surrender our “selves” instead of focusing on them.  He calls it “scuffling with the self” rather than feeding it.  Pastor Paula would call this, “doing one’s inner work...

  I want my neighbor’s life
  Friendship with those who have no immortality symbols

Basically this involves an about face, away from the consumer culture toward those who are suffering in our world.  He says it is to live with and learn from the powerless – making friendships with those who have less than we do.

  My life should be easier than this
  Accepting my cross with grace and patience

Goetz says that everyone has a cross to bear, but it isn’t something we choose and feel proud of – if we start to feel proud of the “cross we bear” we become a martyr.  Everyone suffers, and wherever that is for us, that is our cross.  He says we must come to terms with our allotment of suffering; accept that suffering isn’t doled out equally.  But we also must remember that God is with us in all circumstances.

  I need to make a difference with my life
  Pursing action rather than results

Goetz claims that suburbanites live “shirker lives”, by which he means “lives of religious consumption – even the act of service – organized around life stages.” 

Religions in the ‘burbs tends to be more a program to join than it is an experience that changes you life.

Ouch!  He says we need to move from lives which seed significance to lives built around obedience to God.  Did he say “obedience”?  That’s not a very good word in the ‘burbs.

  My church is the problem
  Staying put in your church

Many of these “toxins” are related to the basic life reality of consumerism; wanting to satisfy one’s needs, coming to a church as one would to a retail store.  He Goetz reminds us that church membership is a covenant, and should be viewed as any other covenant.  He also says that deeper meaning comes through deeper relationships, don’t we know that?

  What will this relationship do for me?
  Building deeper and meaningful relationship.

Like I just said.

Spiritual friendship is subversive in an environment of transaction and efficiency.  Friendship subverts the system of power. 

  I need to get more done in less time.
  Falling in love with the day

Eckhart Tolle isn’t the only one who talks about living in the present (see Tolle’s books The Power of Now and more recently A New Earth.)  We have domesticated time, says Goetz, but scheduling it and filling it to the point where if we have any accidental space in our lives we get anxious.  Whatever happened to the Sabbath?  Children don’t have time to play spontaneously anymore.  No one knows how to simply “be” and not “do”. 
 
The spiritually sedentary and secure life may ultimately be the greatest risk; you never get to experience God at the end of yourself.

That’s a line worth remembering.

Granted, Goetz is given to hyperbole, but I suspect he does so because he doesn’t think anyone will listen if he doesn’t. 

Please feel free to respond – I wish this was on the blog…

Pastor Jim