Tuesday, June 2, 2009

the red sea, creation, and lazarus...

FYI I'm pretty complicated. Like, I'm really complicated. I've told my friends lately that I'm about as much fun as a Rubiks cube; colorful, complex, and completely impossible to figure out.  I hate making decisions. Like really hate making decisions. I've been a twin who had the luxury of sharing a womb with an uber-smart and tenacious counterpart who decided everything from what Strawberry Shortcake shirt we wore to where we sat when we watched Punky Brewster. It was great. But then my 20s happened and I had to start making my own decisions [insert panic attack here].

Literally, a hyper-spiritual mantra would roll off my lips mechanically when someone would suggest I date a guy, move to a new location, or find a job (because yes, I was jobless after college). If God can part the Red Sea, create and sustain the WORLD in six days, and cause Lazarus to come back from the grave, I'm sure He'll tell me what to do. Then I'd waddle away like a pharisee and laud myself for being in tune to what God had for me. Or so I thought. 

In Kevin DeYoung's book, Just Do Something, he lists five reasons why Christianese has messed up our understanding of "being in His will" and why we are so desperate to find out God's plan for our lives.
1. We want to please God. Wanting to do what God wants is good and trying to discern His will comes from good intentions, but we should stop putting ourselves through the misery of over spiritualizing every decision.
2. We are timid. There are times when I've been paralyzed by indecision and inactivity for fear of being out of God's will. DeYoung has given an admonition to just do something! If you are loving the Lord and abiding in Him, trust that He will imbue wisdom and is sovereignly in control of everything.
3. We search for perfect fulfillment. If you think that God has promised this world will be a five-star hotel, you will be miserable as you live through the normal struggles of life. "It's no wonder," DeYoung writes, "we expect people to affirm us for everything, criticize us for nothing, and pay us for anything we want to do." We want it all--we just need God to show us the way to the Land of Milk and Honey.
4. We have too many choices. Previous generations didn't struggle trying to find God's will because they didn't have as many choices. He argues that our eagerness to know God's will is probably less indicative of a heart desperately wanting to obey God and more about our heads spinning with all the choices to be made. 
5. We are cowards. According to DeYoung, sometimes when we pray to know the will of God, it's a coward plea to ensure that nothing bad will happen to me and I won't face danger of my bad decisions. But this is contrary to the heroes of faith in Hebrews 11 and throughout the bible. 

There is no way I'd be able to go into depth about how DeYoung supports his observations, but I encourage you to pick up his mini-read and prepare to get slapped upside the head. If you're looking to get coddled and cuddled, this is NOT your book. Tomorrow I'll be discussing how God is not our magic 8-ball (like Kevin suggests) and list five reasons why waiting for and moving upon signs is sometimes dishonoring to Christ. 

Now if you'll excuse me I need to just do something. By tomorrow this Rubiks cube will be married, in a new apartment, and sitting back at my office at CCM. 

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

So true,I'm a 5! I'm so checking out the book once I finish "What is so Good about Christianity". Thanks for the post.

1717

Diandra Ann said...

Okay, I've got it figured out! You can read my mind cant you? AWESOME post B! I think I have a tenancy to be a #1. Thanks for this... I think I needed to hear it :) Keep it coming! xoxo

Sara Goetz said...

Thanks SO much for your blog. I look forward to reading it everyday! Sara

Raul Hernandez said...

B,

I'm speechless!! What a great post.

Anonymous said...

You are gifted!!!

Amy said...

You have such a wonderful blog! This is a great post and I couldn't agree more. The last couple years I learned as long as I am seeking God first I can go forward and trust him to close the door if it's not meant to be...instead of waiting around for things to open!

Amy said...

Ok so I just watched one of the videos you have on the side of this blog...you are such a blessing and a powerful woman of God. I am so encouraged from watching that!

Marnee said...

Great subject! Abiding in Christ, a surrendered heart that loves the Lord will make choices that are in accordance with His will. You can't go wrong when you are walking in your new heart in Christ. :) So freeing! The freedom that Christ brought us has so many facets to it. Full abundant life in Him. Praise Jesus!!!!

Nicole said...

ALL of these ring true. I often find myself needing patience above all things.

You will eventually accomplish all the things you strive for. I know God has an amazing journey planned for you!

And, I like Rubiks cubes!

Anonymous said...

Hey B, great post, reminded me of a book I just read, "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan. I'm recommending this book to everyone and be prepared to as you say get slapped upside your head. Your dad's twin, Hector G.

Lydia said...

I'm excited to read your next post! I've heard great things about this book and have added it to my ever-growing "to read" list.

I had a wonderful time hanging out with Jasmine, JD, and your mom today! I was telling your sister how much your videos online have blessed me! Keep staying true to the Word and passing it on to others!

Tara Harman said...

The book sounds like a great one... I know someone in his 50s who has never been married and he admits that God gave him plenty of opportunities but he never took any of them... now being in his 50s his options are much slimmer. It sounds like this book will help people out of that mindset of #5... not taking any opportunities because of fear of what's going to happen. God lets us choose things for ourselves and like it says in Proverbs 3:6 "In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight" (NIV) As long as we acknowledge Him in all our ways and all our decisions, He will make straight the paths that we choose.

Mindie said...

That is so true. I was the type to over spiritualize everything; from only watching certain movies, to listening to only christian music. I wouldn't let myself hang out with non-christian friends because they weren't uplifting. Oh no... It was a shame to even attempt to learn karate or kickboxing! That was demonic! Now, I only listen to christian music by choice and conviction. Yet I used to try to force my beliefs on other christian friends. I was like, "what? they are leaders! why are they watching or listening to that?" I was never able to reach someone because of this malfunction; they would assume that I believed to be better than them (which was not the case). I always did it because I believe (truly believed) that listening, watching, and doing those things was not right. My church never taught me that... I came up with that based on my own convictions and beliefs. God soon put me in check though. I am not like that anymore but if your not careful, you can get caught up in that false spiritual concept.

BEWARE of this alluring concept. It is not from God but from the one below. =)

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