Can we be different while being the same?

To tie you over until my inspiration returns, I thought I'd cross-post my contribution to a conversation over on the blog of our church Emmaus Way.

I've been thinking a lot about what it means to live as a Christian in the upper-middle-class suburban American world that I live in. In many ways, we're about as stereotypical as it comes - sheltered suburban house, 2 kids, 2 cars (yes, even a mini-van, but its really not our fault... that's a different story for a different place), and even some semblance of a picket fence. But once you get beyond the demographics, can you tell that we are trying to live differently? Or, more scary, is it possible for one in these demographics live as a Christian?

Collectively, we tell ourselves that we can. That we must be able to live in these demographics as a Christian - as a voice in the darkness, proclaiming the love of Christ to our neighbors, kids' friend's parents, etc. But is it all a cop-out? Is it a way to have our cake and eat it too?

The discussion this week on the tension between hospitality and purity started to address this and hopefully its a discussion that can continue thru this series. I still don't totally grok the "exile" thing, but I get this tension. At least I think I do. Its about time, money, security, and lots of other things... but how much is it about love and Christ?

There's so many balancing acts just in area of time that its really unbelievable until you live there, but we are trying. Susan & I are are very intentional with how we attempt to balance kid needs, parent needs, learning, playing, and just being. But we're not always that good at it. Having our kids as involved in "non-kid" things is hard. Its the balance between the kids being really a part of the Emmaus Way community and, well, being tired, bored, and disruptive pre-schoolers. Its deciding which opportunities we are willing to follow - my kids have gleened sweet potatoes, but my 4-year-old son doesn't know the difference between football, baseball, and basketball. (Yes, I feel guilty about this at times).

I also wrestle with things like how can we build a college fund for the kids (which might pay for a single textbook by the time they get there, but again I digress), or a 401k for our retirement, but also strongly believe in social justice and helping the poor? Where does the hospitality of sharing the gifts of the Lord with those in need end? (don't get me started on tithing percentages, net vs gross, the church vs all charity). Where does the purity of trusting the Lord to provide end? Is socking away savings for a life even beyond the 50 year jubillee timeframe unfaithful?

I don't know the answer, but it was even reassuring to hear it spoken out loud that there is a tension there. The question is how we are called to be radically different, and how to find that balance point for our individual situations.