I meant what I said, and I said what I meant.
An elephant’s faithful, one hundred percent.
–Dr. Seuss, Horton Hatches the Egg
Once we come to the realization that God’s word is not going to let up until it has its complete work in us, we can take one of two views: unbridled panic or sheer exhilaration.
It can be panic because we know we can’t have Him and not be changed. We are comfortable where we are. Our nice house and good job may not require us to have a lot faith, but we can’t be one of those radicals can we?
Nice houses and good jobs are no problem, but we can’t let them stand in the way of becoming all He has for us to be. In God’s view there is no such thing as a radical. There are only sons.
The other view is that it’s the most exciting thing that can happen to us because we know we can’t have Him and not be changed.
In C.S. Lewis’ powerful words,
From Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis
Strong words (that many are unwilling to speak these days), but they line up with the truth of His word. We stand back and “let someone else” go, do, build, speak, love, care, act–and we can convince ourselves that we are being humble and staying where we ought to.
A decision for Christ is a decision to give Him everything. Not a tenth, not a half–everything. I’m as guilty as anyone in regards to laziness and cowardice. It’s a lot easier to coast on how far you’ve come than to press further into where you’re going.
38 BUT MY RIGHTEOUS ONE SHALL LIVE BY FAITH;
AND IF HE SHRINKS BACK, MY SOUL HAS NO PLEASURE IN HIM.39 But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the preserving of the soul. –Hebrews 10:38-39
Submitting to the process of transformation is what grace is for. It’s why Jesus died and why He wouldn’t stay dead. It’s why He sent the Holy Spirit to live inside us. He rightfully demands obedience and in turn we are becoming.
Does this stir anything in you? Have you ever been tempted to settle into “ordinary” status? I would love to hear your thoughts.
This is the part of our book club discussion on Week 31 of Mere Christianity (disclosure) by C.S. Lewis. We are taking a sentence, paragraph, or passage that inspires, encourages, or challenges and writing about it. If you have a response on your blog, head over to my friend and co-facilitator, Sarah Salter’s blog for the widget and another great take. Whether you’ve read the chapter or not, please share your thoughts! We always appreciate a vibrant conversation.
16 Comments
I already confessed on Sarah’s post, but somehow I got a chapter ahead of you guys. The post relevant to this discussion is http://rlcblog.com/i-am-not-content-are-you which I published last week.
Oops.
I do not want to stop or settle… I want to keep on keeping on submitting to His will. I am a work in progress, and my desire is to refuse to be content where I am if that is not right where He wants me to be.
You’re just a leader, not a follower, Dusty!
I’m with you. Contentment really takes the Holy Spirit. If it’s not Him, we settle for less, but in Him, we can be thankful for where we are and still pursuing. Thanks Dusty.
Awesome, Jason! I love the “righteous will live by faith” verse. That’s quoted here by the author of Hebrews from the book of Habakkuk, my favorite book of the Bible. Habakkuk chose faith over feelings and courage over convienences and it resulted in a life of worship. If I start to believe more in the idea that every part of life is worship, than I won’t want to be lazy or cowardly. I want to be obedient. Great post and stirring thoughts. Thank you!
Ryan Tate recently posted..Peeing on a church
Habakkuk is such a great book. And amen. Thank you, Ryan!
That verse is very provoking. I just copied and pasted it in Word and tried to print it out, but it seems my printer isn’t working. I can’t recall that verse ever jumping out at me before. I don’t want to shrink back from my faith the way I do from a ladder. (Fear of my own balance. Nevermind…) I want to move forward!
Helen recently posted..Getting Up
That’s one of my favorite verses, Helen. The preceding one says that God will not be pleased with those who shrink back, but then the author makes this declaration, we are not those who shrink back but we believe! So stirring to me.
I guess I can understand the ladders thing.
I want to move forward too! Thanks Helen.
I do get tempted to settle for average and ordinary, probably because my life is anything but average and ordinary. I look around and see others who are married, have kids, have a safe, comfortable job and it can be easy for me to think I don’t have my life together because I don’t have those things.
When I get feeling like that, God gives me these moments that snap me out of it. Just a few weeks ago, I was talking with someone on Twitter, giving them advice of where to go and what to see when they are in Krakow, Poland. My life must not be that off track if I can give advice for something to do while in Europe.
Jason Vana recently posted..Image of Faith
My wife growing up as a pastor’s kid used to say the same thing, “I just want to be normal.” But now she realizes the same thing--she has got to see the world and live experiences that many can’t even dream about--all in pursuit of knowing Jesus. It just can’t be understated! Thanks Jason.
Nowadays…being married with kids is a huge OUT of the ordinary…(am I wrong?)
seems like divorce is a menu on every restraunt now…
When I see a 10 year, 15- 20 and 50-60 year marrages of believers…i think that is being EXTRAordinary!
That is a testimony in and of it’s self…
arny recently posted..The Analogy of the Ring #3: Sam’s Story
You are so right. Staying in covenant relationships of any kind is rare, but marriage has been such a victim in all this. My wife and I are coming up on 13 years and we’re strong and so thankful. We don’t see a lot of it, but by His grace, we’ll see more! Thanks Arny.
We might say “Christians just want to have fun.”
But it”s fun the way God defines it. Which means it’s likely to be one wild ride.
Glynn recently posted..The Poet as Priest
Ha! Yeah, I like that, Glynn. Thanks.
My first response is OUCH! It is indeed easier to step back or stand still and let others do it or settle into a regular lifestyle and let life happen. But that’s not what we’re called to do. Having been in pastoral ministry for many years, I know it’s not a bed of roses nor is it a cake walk. It’s work, intense work, 24/7 work and if we choose to approach what He’s placed into our hands with a lackadaisical attitude….oh my! It’s not until we plunge fully into the call that we get to experience change and be transformed into a life we’ve not known prior. That life…easy? No, but quite rewarding. I’m guilty of wanting to shrink back, let someone else do it, do it halfheartedly or not at all. I’m guilty of saying I’m tired, I’ve done this for years, it’s someone else’s turn, I’ve put my time in, etc, etc. But I’ve resolved, there’s too many lives, too many souls yet to be touched and brought in. So, again I say yes. Another good thought provoking post. Thanks Pastor Jason.
That’s what I’m here for, Sherry.
Thanks! Glad you’re stirred up!
dr. seuss was one good story teller.
“My alphabet starts with this letter called yuzz. It’s the letter I use to spell yuzz-a-ma-tuzz. You’ll be sort of surprised what there is to be found once you go beyond ‘Z’ and start poking around!”
nance marie recently posted..another day older
I love it! Thanks Nance.