Most of us suffer
from this disease called fownly…
You know… “if
only”….
If only I
was wealthy…
If only my
job were more secure…
If only I
had a better spouse…
If only I
had more time…
If only I
were smarter…
If only my
kids were…
If only I
were healthier…
…I would
serve God better, give more faithfully, attend church more regularly…
If only…
It’s a lie
you know. If you’ve been journeying with
us through The Story surely you’ve seen it by now.
If only my
life were more peaceful, ordered, consistent, joyfilled, etc. If only all my needs were met and my spouse
were more transparent and loving. If
only I didn’t have to worry about putting food on the table or gas in the car
or… whatever…
Sounds like
paradise… sounds like Eden. Apparently,
paradise wasn’t enough to stop Adam and Eve from trying to “make it on their
own.”
Or maybe
that’s not your “if only”? Maybe your “if
only” is: I have an area of struggle in my life… health, porn addiction,
chemical addiction, depression, unemployment – if only I was free from this
bondage I could …would be more faithful to God.
Sounds like
Israel groaning beneath the yoke of Egyptian slavery. Yet when they were set free they became even
more disobedient. At one point they
actually say, “We were better off as slaves!”
Apparently, freedom isn’t enough if you suffer from fownly’s disease.
Well, that’s
all spiritual hocus pocus! I’m
struggling with the basics – food, shelter, clothing, key relationships – If
only I could have the basics provided for… I don’t need to be rich, I just need
my basic needs met.
You mean
like Israel in the desert? Having their basic needs met didn’t make them more
faithful.
…seeing
their enemies defeated didn’t do it
…living in
the land of promise didn’t do it
…bold,
courageous, anointed judges and prophets was not enough
…well… If
only we had a king like the nations that surround us…
…If only we
had a temple to worship in
…If only I
had more teaching… wisdom… knowledge…
…If only
life were a little more manageable…
The only
cure for disobedience is obedience. An
act of your will.
There is no
external circumstance that will cause you to rise to faithfulness.
That’s a path you must choose to walk…
…just sayin’
