Well, here I sit with my good buddy the blank computer screen! So much potential! When I stop staring at the blank computer screen, I find that my eyes usually come to rest on a wooden chalice and bread plate that I have on my shelf.

There is a definite feeling of intimacy with these two items—the wooden plate and the chalice. The wood is a kaleidoscope of soft brown, earth tones. There is softness, a gentle invitation, to come and taste and see that God is good. The wood lacks the bright, reflecting luster which epitomizes the silver or golden communion sets that are familiar to many of us.

It is impossible to see my image in this wooden set. Instead, my attention does not rest on me; my attention is always and only on the gift—the bread and the wine—the body and blood of Christ; God’s gift of salvation to you and me.

Christian theology is based God’s covenantal relationship with Israel as recorded in the Bible; on the conviction that in Christ’s coming, teaching, execution, resurrection and exaltation we are a redeemed people; and on the continuing work of the Holy Spirit. For me the human journey with God is a process of regeneration and renewal. We are drawn into the process by the awakening work of the Holy Spirit. Included in this process are the conditions of condemnation–justification-sanctification. It is the Holy Spirit that directs this each of these processes of regeneration and renewal.

Our regeneration means that we lose our egocentricity but it also implies that we dare to look at ourselves in the light of our relationship to God. Justification is the state of grace that our sins are covered by Christ. Regeneration is the Holy Spirit coming into our lives whereby we are ‘born again,’ a ‘new creation.’ Sanctification is renewal; an on-going process in which we are taking on the ‘image’ of Christ by stopping negative behaviors.

In this earthly life there is a never ending struggle—to the last moment of breath. We are a part of this world and participate in a history in which the powers of God have not yet overcome. The Spirit, far from ending the struggle in our life, causes it to begin. The result of this struggle is the formation of a peculiar type of person, a Christian. The regeneration does not create a harmonious person, but disturbs the pre-regenerated harmony, if that existed before. One becomes a citizen of two worlds, and, therefore, a split person.

This split implies no equilibrium and certainly no schizophrenia. It indicates a conflict situation in which humans, specifically Christians, alternately stand on either side (earthly vs. spiritual), yet with the scales always tipping to the side of God and regeneration and renewal. Peace, on the earthly side, has been disturbed for the good and in this earthly life it is the peace that passes all understanding. (Philippians 4:7) It is Communion.

Heady, weighty thoughts from a plain wooden plate and simple wooden chalice.

How is the Spirit disturbing your harmony these days?