Complacency
Complacency. It’s a word that has been on my mind a great deal lately. I believe that the Holy Spirit is trying to deal with me in an important way on this issue. I have come to think that a Christian that is sitting fat, dumb and happy in her comfortable world is the Christian that Satan is satisfied with. She won’t get in his way and she won’t budge out of her comfort zone to do anything for the kingdom of God. He tells her, “You go to church. You tithe. You serve on committees. You don’t smoke. You only drink a little wine now and then and after all, even Jesus did that. You obey the law. You do your job. You take care of your kids. You keep your home clean. You pay your taxes. You even wash your car! You’re OK! Just sit there and be 
happy in your world.” I have come to think that this is the summation of what most Americans believe is the mark of a good Christian – a good, honest, hard-working person. But is that what Jesus told us to do? Is that what He gave His life for? The first century church looked very different from the church today. It was, by no means, complacent. It had passion and fire. Many churches today profess to be on fire or passionate. But what are they passionate about? What fire burns in their hearts?
Recently, I stumbled across a pastor on television that claimed that if you simply took your mortgage and buried it (or burned it, I didn’t see that part), that you would free yourself from debt and the Holy Spirit would somehow empower you to gain wealth. I couldn’t stomach any more of the show, so I switched channels, but is that the passion the early church had? A passion for wealth?
On another channel-surfing expedition, I came across a pastor that was bidding people in wheelchairs and hobbling on canes, to come to him and be healed. He’d whack the poor seeker on the forehead with the heel of his hand and they’d topple straight over backwards! Somehow there seemed to be always someone in a suit and tie waiting to pick up the poor lug, and at the edge of the stage lights, you could see more suits and ties passing a basket of money up and down the aisles of the onlookers. I don’t think that this was the fire of the early church, either.
The apostle, Paul, spent most of his ministry battling a “thorn in the side” and he toiled and labored hard for his meals. His writings always reflected a passion for Jesus Christ and His glory alone. His attitude about money was that we should collect money to care for the members of the body. He never said we should make any man wealthy. His attitude about his own health was that although he had prayed fervently for healing, he said that his answer was, “My grace is sufficient for thee” and he went about his ministry in spite of physical difficulty.
So my point, I guess, is this: that the complacent, fat, dumb and happy person is probably not living the set-apart life that we are called to live as true followers of Jesus. So how do I get there? I anticipate that the journey is going to be emotionally painful as the Holy Spirit reveals sin after sin in my life. I expect that I won’t like it much. So what should be my motivation? I really haven’t reached that answer either. I can only say that as frightened as I am to take the trip, I will trust my Lord to be with me through it. I somehow know that it is necessary and I know that only prayer will give me the strength I need to pull my feet out of the sticky, gooey mud that I’m standing in. And if He pulls me out of the mud, how do I keep from falling back into my comfortable little rut? Only by His grace and mercy, and I am sure, based on previous ladder rungs I’ve managed to ascend, that I’ll look back at that muddy place and realize what kind of pit it really was. Yes, I am afraid of the journey. Given the choice between pain and comfort, I’d rather choose comfort, but in THIS case, I MUST choose pain, because only in it, will I grow. Only by way of the valley can I reach the mountain. So, I set myself upon a quest for growth. As Easter approaches and I am reminded of the horrific death He endured for me, I pray that He will show me which cross I must bear and where I must bear it to, there to be crucified to my old life and raised to a full, rich life in Him.
happy in your world.” I have come to think that this is the summation of what most Americans believe is the mark of a good Christian – a good, honest, hard-working person. But is that what Jesus told us to do? Is that what He gave His life for? The first century church looked very different from the church today. It was, by no means, complacent. It had passion and fire. Many churches today profess to be on fire or passionate. But what are they passionate about? What fire burns in their hearts?Recently, I stumbled across a pastor on television that claimed that if you simply took your mortgage and buried it (or burned it, I didn’t see that part), that you would free yourself from debt and the Holy Spirit would somehow empower you to gain wealth. I couldn’t stomach any more of the show, so I switched channels, but is that the passion the early church had? A passion for wealth?
On another channel-surfing expedition, I came across a pastor that was bidding people in wheelchairs and hobbling on canes, to come to him and be healed. He’d whack the poor seeker on the forehead with the heel of his hand and they’d topple straight over backwards! Somehow there seemed to be always someone in a suit and tie waiting to pick up the poor lug, and at the edge of the stage lights, you could see more suits and ties passing a basket of money up and down the aisles of the onlookers. I don’t think that this was the fire of the early church, either.
The apostle, Paul, spent most of his ministry battling a “thorn in the side” and he toiled and labored hard for his meals. His writings always reflected a passion for Jesus Christ and His glory alone. His attitude about money was that we should collect money to care for the members of the body. He never said we should make any man wealthy. His attitude about his own health was that although he had prayed fervently for healing, he said that his answer was, “My grace is sufficient for thee” and he went about his ministry in spite of physical difficulty.
So my point, I guess, is this: that the complacent, fat, dumb and happy person is probably not living the set-apart life that we are called to live as true followers of Jesus. So how do I get there? I anticipate that the journey is going to be emotionally painful as the Holy Spirit reveals sin after sin in my life. I expect that I won’t like it much. So what should be my motivation? I really haven’t reached that answer either. I can only say that as frightened as I am to take the trip, I will trust my Lord to be with me through it. I somehow know that it is necessary and I know that only prayer will give me the strength I need to pull my feet out of the sticky, gooey mud that I’m standing in. And if He pulls me out of the mud, how do I keep from falling back into my comfortable little rut? Only by His grace and mercy, and I am sure, based on previous ladder rungs I’ve managed to ascend, that I’ll look back at that muddy place and realize what kind of pit it really was. Yes, I am afraid of the journey. Given the choice between pain and comfort, I’d rather choose comfort, but in THIS case, I MUST choose pain, because only in it, will I grow. Only by way of the valley can I reach the mountain. So, I set myself upon a quest for growth. As Easter approaches and I am reminded of the horrific death He endured for me, I pray that He will show me which cross I must bear and where I must bear it to, there to be crucified to my old life and raised to a full, rich life in Him.
posted by Priscilla49 @ 4:09 PM
1 Comments:
At 9:39 PM,
Priscilla49 said…
Thanks for the invitation, sojourner, but I think I should catch my breath first. If you read any of my prior posts, you will see that I am being molded and shaped by the Spirit into what He would have me be. One thing I know is that I don't think He'd have me be a warrior. I don't have the heart for the killing. I would rather nourish, nurture and encourage than battle with those that see the world from a different angle. While I don't believe that we should sacrifice what we believe on the altar of ecumenism and stand around singing Kum Ba Yah as values go up in smoke, I would like to know that others in the church (corporate) would stand at my back if it came to a battle with those who would attack the church from OUTSIDE. Roman Soldier demonstrates so much hatred of those that do not pledge allegiance to Rome that he's frightening. For the first time in my life, I not only fear an onslaught from Muslims and atheists, but I feel like the Catholics would like to do me in as well! And don’t get me wrong…I admire him for his conviction and his willingness to take up arms. While I would never back down from my position, I would not seek the fight. I am a defender, not an attacker and as such would be very grateful for a nice thick stone wall to cower behind! That all said, though, I don’t think anyone would want to be the idiot that tried to pull me away from my strong fortress! Have you ever tried to hang on to a wet cat’s tail?? (The name of the Lord is a strong tower. The righteous run into it and they are safe. Prov 18:10)
I will fight another day… Be welcome here at my blog and be witness to the transformations that I know the Spirit is making in me. I post sporadically and treasure my anonymity, so you will not find much of a profile, but you are welcome to share thoughts and ideas. I hope that you will find peace and nourishment here. I did attempt to find your blog, but the link didn’t work, so I guess you really are a “sideliner”. That’s OK. The sideline is where all the encouragement comes from, vocal OR silent.
God be with you….
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