More dangerous than a lie is a half truth. Since it is not completely a lie it clutches at the edges of consciousness and blinds our eyes with reason. I try to walk through these half truths, they sadden me and sometimes I get caught by them. Some would appear good and these are the tricky ones that would drag us down. The others are bad, and these keep us bound in legalism. I see Jesus as the third way, but following him is a narrow path. Whenever I lose focus, I find myself being wrapped up in cares of this world, be it fear, or courage. When I stumble to the sinister, I get caught up in politics, and the environment. I see the problems of Christianity and I find solace in liberal ideals. When I wander adroitly, I become judgmental and self serving and my refuge takes on more majestic tones. Even more challenging is that one can get lost in that center, being critical and cynical of both and altogether lost.

It’s all a matter of Identity, whenever I build an Identity other than the one I have in Christ, I will get distracted. I believe that the Bible calls us to care for God’s creation, but if I get wrapped up in environmentalism I have as surely lost my way as if I had bought a gas guzzling SUV. I believe we are called to live simply, but when that becomes acetic it is just as fallen as all out materialism. I believe the Bible calls us to preserve the sanctity of life, but if I bomb a Planned Pregnancy center, I am just as surely at fault.

There are hundreds of good pursuits, apologetics, missions, economic development, building your career, but with out a firmly rooted Identity in Christ, they are just as wayward as a lifestyle of debauchery and vice.

Christ is the key. It is only in Him that I can learn to Love. It is only in that love that I can try and walk, albeit rather haltingly, down this third way. This walk is apolitical yet can shape nations, it molds ideologies of vast people groups and yet is changed by a single heart. Weak when it seems strong and strong when it seems weak, this utter paradox is most certain. If you try to find it through methodology, mantras or works you will fail miserably. Even seeking to love in abstraction is also to stray into failure. But seek Christ with all your heart and be not distracted by the words of those who would seem wise, and you will find him, The Way.