A Community of Peace in a Culture of Outrage and Fear | Future Church E5
Oct 6, 2023
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Explore the challenge of preserving a community of peace amidst outrage and fear. Learn about the contemplative tradition and the impact of noise and advertisements. Discover the harmful effects of social media and the culture of outrage. Reflect on the role of fear and the importance of silence and solitude in creating inner sanctuary.
Engaging in the practice of silence and solitude helps us become a community of peaceful, 'non-anxious presences' amidst a culture of anger and fear.
Excessive noise, anger, and fear hinder our ability to experience true peace and communion with God, highlighting the importance of creating space for silence and solitude.
Deep dives
The future church as an alternative society
The podcast discusses the concept of the future church as an alternative society to cultural norms. It emphasizes the importance of looking at the challenges faced in the cultural moment and how Jesus' vision of the church can provide a different way of life. The practice of silence and solitude is highlighted as a key aspect of the future church, allowing individuals to create emotional and spiritual space for communion with God and transformation. Examples of historical figures like Arsenius the Great and the desert fathers are given to showcase the practice of silence and solitude in the early church.
The danger of noise and the culture of outrage
The podcast delves into the harmful effects of excessive noise and the culture of outrage in modern society. It highlights how noise, both external and internal, can prevent individuals from experiencing true peace and communion with God. The rise of technology and social media is mentioned as a factor that contributes to increased anxiety, depression, and meanness among people. The negative impact of anger is also discussed, with a focus on how anger can be rooted in contempt, pride, and a lack of love. The importance of shifting from speaking in anger to listening in humility is emphasized.
Fear as a driving force and the need for peace
The podcast explores the pervasive presence of fear in society and how it hinders individuals from becoming people of love. The concept of fear as a survival instinct is acknowledged, but it is highlighted that in a fallen world, fear can become a master and enslave people, preventing them from living in true freedom. The connection between fear and anger is discussed, along with the harm caused by hate and outrage rooted in fear. The podcast emphasizes the need for peace and the role of silence and solitude in cultivating inner peace, overcoming fear, and experiencing God's presence.
Silence and solitude as a transformative practice
The podcast explores the practice of silence and solitude as a transformative spiritual discipline. It highlights the importance of detaching from the noise and distractions of daily life to create space for communion with God. The podcast presents five movements within the practice of silence and solitude: relax, detach, look, listen, and love. Relaxing into God's goodness, detaching from self-will, looking at God and becoming transformed, listening to God's voice, and ultimately growing in love are all described as essential aspects of the practice. The aim is to create an inner sanctuary where individuals can experience God's peace and presence amidst the chaos of life.
"If there's anything left of my annoying voice in your memory banks in 20 years, I would hope that you would hear me as a brother in your ear just saying, 'follow Jesus to the quiet and pray.'"
All around us, people are angry and afraid. John Mark invites us to become a community of peaceful, 'non-anxious presences' by engaging in the practice of silence and solitude. Through this practice, we learn how to receive the love of God into the deepest places of our pain and fear.
Key Scripture Passage: Luke 5v12-16
This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Araceli from Portland, Oregon; Kristin from Omaha, Nebraska; Keith from Modesto, California; Brian from Durham, North Carolina; and Dan from Foley, Alabama.Thank you all so much!
If you’d like to pay it forward and contribute toward future resources, you can learn more at practicingtheway.org/give.
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