In The Tank Comments

Reference Text
‘I just wish I were one of them’ Wednesday, June, 02, 2010
by John Fischer

Someone wrote to us about the authors of so many Christian books and devotionals: “I'm sure these writers are helpful to so many people, I just wish I were one of them.”

I bet everyone has felt this way at least some of the time, and others feel this way almost all the time. That book, devotional, study guide, seminar, retreat, or church service was helpful to so many people… I just wish I were one of them!

Here’s what makes this even worse. A lot of people are acting like they are one of them for whom it is working, when deep down inside, they are not. This is when playing church can be so damaging. Church should be where you go for help, but if no one needs it, no one gets it.

Church should be a little like heaven—full of a whole bunch of people who can’t believe they got there, know they don’t deserve to be there, and can’t wait to find out what happens next.

Church is not a building full of beautiful people who hide a secret that the Christian life is working for everyone but them. It’s a community of folks who know they shouldn’t be there in the first place, and yet they got there anyway, through no merit of their own, and because of that, they have nothing to lose.

There is power in conformity; we just need to decide to what we will conform. Will we all conform to being something we are not, or will we make a corporate decision to be who we are, whatever the cost, and let Christ be the one who conforms us to His image as He sees fit?

You don’t have to wish you were anything except to be who you are. That’s the way Jesus found us, and that’s how He will make us into the men and women He desires us to be.


Comments Go Back
Today's date: Tuesday, September 07, 2010
Jack Phillips Thursday, June 03, 2010
Templeton, CA
Your comment about others in church pretending to be ok reminds me, again, of an incident many years ago. I was at our local post office on a Saturday, and met a lady that I had known for many years at our small church. I gave her the usual 'How are you?' greeting, expecting to receive the usual 'I'm ok' response. But instead she said, 'Do you really want to know?' I then spent the next hour listening to how she really was, which was not so great. I did not do anything but listen, but that was all she needed at that point...someone with whom to share her condition. I have often reflected on this event as I casually enquire at church how my brothers and sisters in the Lord are doing. Do I really want to hear and share their burdens? Do I look for help and confort in sharing my concerns with them? Or is 'church' just a social gathering for people espousing the Christian faith?

Terri Lynn Hunter Wednesday, June 02, 2010
Atlanta, GA, USA
Well said. Thank you very much.

Sandie Wednesday, June 02, 2010
Sebastian, Fl, Indian River
I gave up on the "Christian clone" concept a long time ago - I was already in the process of putting that idea on the spritual trash heap when I read your book "Real Christians..Dance." That did it - out it went!
Like the sheep we are, we jump on the latest Christian fad or "how-to" craze and pump ourselves up with more knowledge - then pat ourselves on the back with how "spiritual" we're becoming.
The problem is, that knowledge never gets a chance to translate itself into wisdom - because we're too afraid to try it out in the REAL world - the place where we hurt and are surrounded by others just like us.
Because after all, REAL christians don't hurt do they? Especially the REALLY SPIRITUAL ones! If they do, they musn't have filled themselves up with enough knowledge...so back we go - to another book, another conference, another bible study, another church.
It took working with teens, and now bikers, to disabuse me of the worth in that concept!
God Bless you for keeping the faith!
Phil.1:6

David Morgereth Wednesday, June 02, 2010
Silver Spring, MD, USA
"A lot of people are acting like they are one of them for whom it is working, when deep down inside, they are not."

Blogger Jonathan Acuff refers to this mindset as, "the Christian F-Word":

"(there's a)...new generation who refuse to use the Christian "F word": fine. (How's life? Fine. How's your marriage? Fine.) The days where you could pretend that being a Christian meant you were perfect are numbered... Christians are starting to admit life is messy and that grace is vital."

Full article is at

http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/guestvoices/2010/05/three_things_christians_say_about_pop_culture_scandals.html#more

Ken Fletcher Wednesday, June 02, 2010
Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
Most "Christian" TV is the same. If you don't have a victory story you dont get on.
For a touch of reality check out, www.drewmarshall.ca

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