Starting with a Clean Slate
M. Robert Mullholland in Invitation to a Journey says,
Paul tells us, trust is a release of both mind and heart to God. This trust is what the classical Christian tradition calls detachment. It is neither a passive resignation nor a fatalistic acquiescence to whatever comes. It is, rather, a consistent posture of actively turning our whole being to God so that God’s presence, purpose and power can be released through our lives into all situations. (Mullholland, Invitation to a Journey, 92)
Every year reflective planning is in order, and this is a good time of year to consider the direction of our ministries. In order to do this effectively, we must take a fresh look at our priorities, and the spiritual discipline of detachment is invaluable in this process.
So what exactly is detachment? It is the ability to resist pressures from others or our society. It is the desire to have our hearts beat in time with God’s will for our lives. Practicing detachment involves letting go, but also a call to order. It is not creating a void, but creating a space for God to fill. Detachment is not indifference or uncaring, but a full awareness that we are serving an audience of One. It places us in the appropriate posture to follow God. James C. Wilhoit in Spiritual Formation as if the Church Mattered identifies three main areas that need to be addressed: people, possessions, and thoughts (196).
Jesus fosters detachment among his disciples. And how he encourages detachment is sometimes shocking, especially when it comes to people. For example, in Luke 14:26 Jesus says, “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple.” In Matt. 8:21-22, when talking with a potential disciple who asked to bury his father before following, Jesus replies, “Let the dead bury their own dead.” This is startling, especially in an honor-based society where honoring one’s father and mother meant caring for them. The point is not to neglect our parents, but this: there is nothing more important than loving God and following him. This is complicated because relationships are a blessing from God, and there are times when we have to balance differing priorities and needs. However, we must determine to always seek God’s mission for our lives and stick with it first, in order to not be distracted or discouraged by those around us.
The second area of detachment involves possessions. Christians are often caught up in America’s unhealthy connection to the material. Our society is bent on making us consumers, and the pressure surrounding us can be hard to resist. This problem was so pervasive in the first century that Jesus had plenty to say about material possessions. Matt. 6 is full of teachings about it. Jesus’s practical point is that what we see is temporal, which we are often reminded of through loss. Where we place our attention and what we treasure will guide our heart, and it’s impossible to serve two masters. One will always win.
Beyond worrying about what we want, and what we don’t have, we also often worry about if we will have what we need. The majority of early Christians were poor. They were living day-to-day, and when they prayed, “Lord, give us our daily bread,” they meant it. Jesus told them not to worry (Matt. 6:25-34). Jesus does not want us to be controlled by outside forces; he wants our attention. When it comes to detachment, this means that we aren’t controlled by material desires, and we trust in God to take care of our needs. These are two different things, but both are necessary in order for us to find our way on the path God is leading us.
The third area of detachment involves our thoughts. We struggle to give up our own desires, plans, and dreams. Yet we must seek God’s will for our life. We have a tendency to get attached to a certain idea of what life should be like. And those ideas sometimes hold us back from where God wants to take us. To summarize, practicing detachment is not a one-time event; it requires constant reevaluation and effort on our part. It is a way to start with a clean slate and fresh eyes. When we are committed to this practice, it will help us see our lives and ministries more clearly. It will help us prioritize better as we seek to follow the heart of God rather than succumbing to the pressures surrounding us. Pray that God will give you the strength to lay down what you think is your plan, and to follow his.
