Tension

Sometimes I have wrestled with the tension of how to approach the spiritual disciplines (praying, studying Scripture, memorizing passages, fasting, etc.). If our primary motivation comes from within, the sort of just-pull-our-boot-straps-up-and-get-to-it type of attitude, where is the Spirit’s leading and inner working? The danger with this approach is the capacity it can create for pride and self-righteousness because the primary motivation is based more on one’s own will power and less on the Spirit’s work. This posture towards the disciplines can also create an attitude of enlightenment; that God somehow owes us His blessing because we have positioned ourselves through sheer determination. It often is a masquerade for true spirituality, and it can ultimately lead to a spirit of legalism.

On the far other end of spectrum is a sort of laissez-faire approach to the disciplines. This mindset rests in a wait-and-see approach to pursuing God through spiritual practices. Not wanting to be legalistic, nor take the credit of spiritual growth, the believer wrapped up in this frame of mind often puts the disciplines on the shelf and simply waits for God to awaken his or her inner desire for them. The danger is that the disciplines may rarely be practiced because the believer is not proactively doing much for his or her spiritual growth. The end result is often a stale and stagnant faith.

In his book, “Celebration of Discipline” Richard Foster gives a simple yet wonderful analogy. He encourages believers to pursue the disciplines similarly to how a farmer approaches his work. A wise farmer works extremely hard to cultivate a bountiful crop. However, at the end of the day a farmer knows that the results of the crop are outside of his control. He can provide the best opportunity for a healthy crop, but he is unable to make it grow. Similarly, we must pursue the spiritual disciplines with diligence while full knowing that the end results are beyond our control – only God can truly change our inner passions and desires that can produce spiritual fruit. Even so, we must position ourselves for the best possible chance of God’s working, while trusting that He alone can ultimately work through us.

Watching

They are watching us closely. With one small gesture this reality hit me again this last weekend. After mowing the lawn I grabbed a push broom to sweep some of the grass clippings off of the driveway. My son Caleb, now 5 years old, usually enjoys helping me with projects around the house. Anticipating that he would want to help, I handed him our spare push broom for him to use. He grabbed it and we immediately began to sweep the driveway. We enjoyed talking as we worked together. When we finished I shared with him how much I enjoyed working with him. I then took my broom and to clean it off I knocked it on the grass a couple of times, then I flipped it over to the other side and knocked it once more. We continued talking and without hesitation Caleb took his broom and did the exact same thing. I did not ask him to do this, and what I observed was more significant than a common response we might see from a toddler who proudly wants to be just like his daddy by mimicking his father’s every move. I don’t believe that Caleb was trying to impress me. He was simply following my lead and my example, and it hit me all over again – they are watching us more closely than we often realize. The rest of the afternoon I couldn’t help but ponder the type of example I am to my kids and to this next generation. How I navigate through life impacts others, especially those younger than me. How I handle disappointment and frustration in life models something to them. How I deal with success and blessing teaches them something through my example. The way I approach my faith and the priorities I uphold speaks to the next generation. Our lives impact others.

The Apostle Paul made a bold statement in 1 Corinthians 11:1 when he appealed to the Corinthian church by encouraging them to “follow [his] example, as [he] followed the example of Christ” (NIV). I have to ask myself, can I make a similar request to others, especially my own children? Am I so consumed with Christ and His mission for my life that I can confidently ask others to follow me as I follow Christ? I am convinced that this next generation needs mature believers (those whose faith is authentic) who are inviting them to join their journey in pursing God. Fewer things could have such an eternal impact! If you are not already doing so would you please consider ways in which God might use you to impact others, especially those following in your footsteps?

Unqualified

Imagine what it would have been like to be Simon and Andrew, two ordinary fishermen, on that day when seemingly out of nowhere a teacher called out, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” Since these men were working as skilled laborers it is clear that they did not make the cut of the brightest, most promising Jewish students. In other words, they were men who clearly did not make the deans list. In fact, the most promising boys and young men of their day became apprentices and disciples of other rabbis. These men, however, were ordinary workers. Their own society had deemed them as non-exceptional. Even so, Jesus saw something in them. He didn’t look for the brightest, most promising men to be his first disciples. Jesus selected ordinary men to carry out one of the greatest assignments the world has ever seen! This is not the first case where God selected ordinary people to carry out extraordinary tasks. All over Scripture we see God calling unlikely individuals to carry out His mission in this world.

What does this mean for you and me? We can rest assured that God is not looking for perfect people to carry out His plans in this world. He is searching for willing people, those who will take a step of faith and trust in His leading and in His promises. He is looking for humble and dependant people, those who know they can do nothing apart from Christ. God is also looking for people of faith, those who trust God in all circumstances no matter how bleak and daunting a difficult situation appears.

Perhaps God has been calling you to partner with Him in accomplishing His purposes, yet you have resisted because you have not felt prepared, qualified, or up to the task. I know I’ve been there in my own faith. May you find great comfort knowing that God is not looking for perfect people. And may you also discover significant encouragement to step out in faith, to trust God, and to allow His glory to be evident in and through your life! God uses flawed people in order that His glory and power might be displayed, so that all great things accomplished can be accredited to God Himself and not any one person! May it be so in each of our lives.