VOWS.
Last Sunday (November 26) we looked at idolatry, reflected on the last half of Romans 1, and took vows of Simplicity, Fidelity, and Service – as we face the idols of money, sex, and power in our lives and culture. I thought it might be helpful to expand a bit on what those vows mean, and in doing so I’m borrowing heavily from Richard Foster’s book Money, Sex, & Power.
The vow of simplicity means…
- Unity of heart and singleness of purpose. Christ is our all-in-all.
- Joy in God’s good creation. Go take a walk in a forest.
- Contentment and trust. Whether in plenty or in want, we trust God to provide for our needs.
- Freedom from covetousness. We no longer envy what our neighbor has.
- Modesty and temperance in all things. Voluntary abstinence in the midst of a culture that idolizes luxury.
- To receive material provision gratefully. What we do have we receive as gifts.
- Using money without abusing money. Money is put in its rightful place by using it. For Christ. And Christ’s Kingdom.
- Availability. Our time and energy are freed to meet others’ needs, and to simply be with others.
- Giving joyfully and generously. Not just our money – but also our money.
The vow of fidelity means…
- To affirm our sexuality in all its manifold complexity. God, in his infinite wisdom, has made us as beautiful, sexual beings.
- Loyalty to our calling. Some are called to singleness. Others to marriage. Neither is superior to the other.
- Directing sex into its God-given channel within the covenant of marriage. We say no to promiscuity and to adultery and yes to the covenant nature of marriage
- An enduring commitment to the well-being and growth of each other. We sacrifice for the sake of our spouse’s flourishing.
- Mutuality. “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” – Ephesians 5:21
- Honesty and transparency with each other. No masks
- To explore the interior world of the spiritual life together. Our spiritual growth is not an isolated journey.
The vow of service means…
- Saying no to the power games of modern society. We are not looking out for “Number 1.”
- Saying yes to true power harnessed for the common good. Power is a gift when it frees, liberates, and serves the truth.
- Discerning the powers, engaging the powers, and defeating the powers. “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” – Ephesians 6:12
- Obedience. Submission to God and the wisdom of his ways.
- Compassion. A heart for the weak, vulnerable, and powerless.
- Servant Leadership. Our Savior and our model is Jesus; who uses his power and authority to serve.
Again, as we take (and retake) these vows, we always do so in the context of God’s mercy. His mercy and his covenant love towards us is what gives us the strength – even the boldness – to take vows like these. Of course there are others idols in our lives as well (work, family, comfort, etc.) – all good things God has made, but all potentially worshiped and served as idols when we move from receiving them as gifts from God, to setting them at the center of our lives and taking our meaning and significance from them. But God is merciful, and when we fall and fail, Christ is there to forgive, to extend grace, and to invite us to, yet again, to commit ourselves to him as Lord. Christ as Lord of our lives, and Christ as Lord. Full-stop.
-Mark
