As a young Christian, one of my favorite authors was Chuck Swindoll. The guy’s writing style was wonderful. He was funny and told the greatest stories to make his point. But, when he really wanted to drive a thought home, he could shoot pretty straight without much fuzz. I remember one thing he wrote which has stuck with me for many years. The topic had to do with why Christians won’t move out of their comfort zones. Why we won’t bridge relationships with the lost, why we won’t reach out to friends and neighbors, why we won’t receive instruction from those older in the faith than ourselves, why we continue to harbor secrets and sin, why we reject someone we actually want to love us, why we choose dead religion over something that is actually life giving. Chuck neatly packaged it into a phrase he called “our excuses”. He defined the bottom-line this way: “our excuses” are really nothing more than little lies that we wrap in the skins of rationalization. We create the little monster in our own mind, so it has the right to live there and control our little self-absorbed isolation bubble. Then we or the devil convinces us that it is the gospel truth and thus we hunker down in the suffocating gooh of stagnation, fear and life in our own spiritual and social prison. Let me show you what I’m talking about. Here are a couple of examples of how this plays out in our mind.
OUR NEED or DESIRE: “We need more fellowship with other believers to pray together and encourage one another during the week.”
EXCUSE: #1 “Oh, we can’t host this…our home is too small” or #2 “No one would come if we invited them” or #3 “I don’t want to have to plan a meal.”
TRUTH: #1 All it takes is a couple of chairs or couch in one room of your house. #2 If you never invite anyone, you’re right…no one will come. #3 A meal? That would be nice but a cookie and coffee is plenty…but even that is not required!!!
Again? Ok…one more time:
OUR NEED or DESIRE: “Would love to get to know these people on a more intimate basis. I could glean from them and enjoy their company and counsel”
EXCUSE: #1 “Oh, they’re way too busy for us” or #2 “They already have so many relationships, they won’t fit us in” #3 “Let’s not bother them…they don’t really care about anything other than what they’ve got going on.”
TRUTH: #1 Everyone is busy! We make time for what is priority in our life. Patti and I have so much going on in our life…just like you! But, anyone who pursues us…gets us because it’s priority to us! It’s not rocket science or magic! #2 Because a person has established relationships in their life doesn’t automatically mean they’re closed off to new relationships. Most of the time our own rejection sabotages us before we even try something new! #3 This is a judgment about a person’s character and value system. It is not fair to yourself or them to make these kinds of assessments of people without an honest attempt to relate. It “sounds” honorable, but it’s not. It’s an excuse.
ECF…we have talked for almost two years about getting people into our homes to explore relationships and expand covenant. So far…it’s mainly been talk. Oh, we see glimmers of hope and a few are actually going for it, but for the most part, we are not moving on this need. Why? Be careful not to follow this question with an excuse. It is time to risk….fall forward…take a step! He’ll meet you in it!
I apologize in advance if I sound like a grumpus! The weight of this need is not getting any lighter!!! Love you all! Mike
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