It

The real Gathering I wrote about in the last post comes down to just one thing.  IT.  IT is the one thing that doesn't change with the seasons of desire in my own heart. 

When I go watch the US Air Force Thunderbirds do their demonstration over the Air Force Academy graduation (like I did last Wednesday), the desire to fly is mysteriously aroused within me.  But IT remains constant.

When I spend time with friends on a ranch in the mountains, the desire to live and work in such a place surges as well.  But IT is still there.

When I see some incredible finish carpentry work, I feel the urge to press deeper into an identity as a master carpenter.  But I still desire IT.

And the interesting thing about IT, is that we talk so much about it in religious circles.  It seems to be the thing we're all about.  But it's not.  The world of religion has very little to do with IT.  The world of religion is just like the rest of the world:  full of distractions from IT.  Only the distractions are different. 

Those of us who are on the journey of leaving the world of religion have discovered the importance of IT.  We have come to understand how religion blocks so many of us from IT.  We talk among ourselves about IT.  We preaching about the need for IT.  We share speculations about how we think we can get IT.  But we're in the same danger as the rest of the world in not ever, really, honestly possessing IT.  It's as if we see IT only from afar; or, through a glass, darkly.


IT is Jesus Christ.  Not truth about Him.  Not doctrine about Him.  Not ideas and speculation about Him.  Not stories about Him that are 2000 years old.  But Him.  Today.  Now.  As real in my life as the flesh and blood, laughing and crying friends I'm going to see today.

And that's what the real Gathering is all about.  It's not about being anti-religious, anti-denominational, politically conservative, or simply in favor of doing churchy kinds of things without guilt and shame.  The real Gathering is a coming together of people who, more than anything else, desire IT.  The real Gathering is for those who, in the ebb and flow of all the desires in their lives, one desire remains true, one longing remains the same:  the desire for a real, intimate, life changing and daily encounter with Jesus Christ. 

If that sounds familiar to you, I think we should get together some time.