Ch. 2 - Surprised By Change

Hank, “his native tongue was complaint…he was a ministry of cranial downsizing” (p.27). One of my fears is that I am Hank or am becoming more like Hank than I am Christ. I find myself becoming bitter and angry with my circumstances way too much. It’s a constant battle not to fixate on these islands of “bad” circumstances in my life. It’s really stupid of me, and it’s a very nearsighted view of reality when we fixate on these islands of difficulty. Because, if we know Christ, we are supposed to live “a life of goodness and peace and joy” (Romans 14:17) no matter our circumstances.

 

 So what keeps us from living that life? What keeps us from being transformed? In chapter 2, Ortberg offers a couple of excellent incites into why this doesn’t happen. One of which was pretty simple and sad—we don’t expect change or that it doesn’t bother us when change doesn’t happen. Another main thought Ortberg presented was superficial change, or as he called it, “religious boundary markers”. These boundary markers are different from one denomination to another and one generation to another, but they are essentially what we designate as outward signs of change. For example, when a person starts attending church consistently, reading their Bible regularly, and they quit smoking, cussing, and drinking…they are generally accepted in many Christian circles. These “religious boundaries” differ from group to group, but Ortberg points out Jesus’ primary focus was on not on boundaries; his focus was on the heart. Loving God and loving others is where Jesus started. Therefore, we can conclude: true spirituality is to grow in loving God and loving others. This is where a key scripture came to me in my reading.
 

Romans 12 1:1-2 (NLT) - And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.

 

So if that is the case, then worshiping God in “Spirit and Truth” is not done by how well we observe boundaries. Or as Otrberg puts it, prayer and Bible study cannot be the gauge we use to assess our spiritual condition.

 

Wow, this really got me thinking because I love to spend time in prayer. I love my quiet time with God, but if I am not loving others and loving God more as a result of my time in prayer—then by Christ definition, I am not a very spiritual person. And so here is the humbling conclusion that God laid on my heart after reading this chapter. If I am not being changed in a way the causes me to love God and others and be a more obedient disciple as a result of the time I spend with God in prayer, am I really praying? Or am I just going to God with my wants, problems, and complaints. If that is all I am doing in my prayer life, then I am convinced that I am not praying, rather I am just a noisy gong.

1 Corinthians 13:1 (NLT) – “If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, (I) would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.”

 

So my challenge for you this week is this: If you are struggling to grow in Christ--I mean past the superficial stuff you show everyone--if you are exhausted with trying over and over again to change and be transformed into the person God created you to be, the person Christ died for you to be. Then understand it begins with a changed heart. That’s where Jesus focuses his attention--on your heart and head. So you can give him access by tweaking one small thing in your prayer life. Instead of praying for God to change your circumstance or the circumstances of others…try praying and asking God to change you! Change your heart. Change your thinking. Instead of asking him to take away your difficulties and your struggles, try asking God to give you strength and wisdom to get through them. Instead of asking God for this or that, ask God what you can give him. Ask him to help you see how you can love him and love others better. Try it, I think you’ll be surprised how God starts to change you and use you.

 

That’s all for this week. Remember to leave your encouraging comments. You can comment on the book, my blog, or even on the comments that others have left on this site. Your encouraging words just might be what someone needs to hear today.

 

Blessing, Jason