Leaving Ruins

For the last two days a friend and I have been treking through Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. Grasslands, so called Satanic towers, and mountains... lots of mountains. I've seen a Buffalo closer then one should ever see a Buffalo... elk, moose, but sadly no bears. Being my first time in the area I've been overwhelmed by beauty.

The last few weeks I've been reading a book by Stanley Hauerwas called The State of the University. One of his main points is that Christians must create culture... a material culture of work, worship, and play - formed and shaped by the gospel. But in creating this material culture, Christians will also necessarily leave ruins. Change is inevitable - even within the Christian community.  Its a part of how God created things. We go about the business of creating ... living, experienceing, expressing our existence at this particular time and place. All the while knowing one day it will end.  But we leave ruins... markers of faithfulness... A sign which reminds us the gospel must be lived out in the world - reminders for those who come after us.

Today we drove through parts of Eastern Idaho, following the western edge of the Titons up into Montana. It was an unbelievable drive. On the way we came across both an abandoned barn and an old abondoned school house. We stopped and snapped some pictures - exploring a bit. We talked about the memories these places held... the people, the events, the moments. They serve as markers - reminders of a different time, a different group of people in a different world - calling us to remember a different way of life, prompting us to think about how we live our own...

As I spent the last few days surrounded by young people - it struck me.  The last thing they need is to be wowed with new technology or media.  The last thing they need is the newest entertainment...  What they need - what we all need - are examples of faithfulness.  We need to explore the ruins of Christian faith.  Not to stay there... but to be reminded of who we are and who we are called to be.  Being reminded of what it means to be the Christian community in the world...existing for the world.