I finished up the cruise to Alaska last Saturday and now I have a group of friends and associates over here in the States from Zimbabwe. I will be with them for the next two weeks. The cruise was great. Michael W. Smith is the "real deal" -- a nIce man with a great family.
I have noticed a strange malady circulating in the body of Christ. It is not fatal, but it afflicts many people. It's something that I jokingly refer to as Christian-itis. It is a virus and it spreads from one believer to another. No one is immune, but there is a cure. For someone to be cured, however, they must admit that they have the disease. Furthermore, they must see that the disease can against them clarifying their purpose. What is Christian-itis? What are the symptoms? I'm glad you asked. To learn what it is, however, you will have to read on.
THREE SYMPTOMS
1. The first symptom is what I call "Godspeak." Most people don't know their purpose because they have never asked and kept seeking until they got an answer. When they do ask, they use "Godspeak" lingo and style. "Godspeak" causes you to say God's name every third word when you pray. It makes you use a lot of words that sound spiritual but aren't. "Godspeak" can even cause you to change your voice so that, when you pray, you don't use your everyday voice when you talk to God. It can even cause you to use King James English, using "Thee" and "art" when you pray.
I found my purpose after a painful business failure. I wasn't looking for purpose; I was angry with God. Yet my honest question, "If You didn't create me to start this business, what did you create me to do?" elicited a response from God that my purpose was to "create order out of chaos." Believe, there was no "Godspeak the morning I said what I did. I was honest with God and He, in turn, was honest with me!
2. The second symptom is false humility. That is when you are so concerned with what people may think of you that you deny who you are and what you can do. For example, someone says, "That was great!" You say, "It was nothing. The Lord did it. I had nothing to do with it." When employing false humility, you may go out of your way to find fault with who you are or what you did so that no one will think too highly of you or your work.
If you deny that you can do something well, when in reality you can, they you have false humility. Humility isn't denying the reality of who you are what you can do, it is acknowledging that, while God made you with the gifts and talents you have, you still have a role to play in their effective expression. While false humility seems like it honors God, it does not. It only seeks to confuse you as to who you really are and cause people not to pay you a compliment.
3. The third symptom is inactivity. When you have this aspect of Christian-itis, you say, "I am waiting on the Lord." You don't wait on the Lord like you wait on a train or bus to arrive. Faith without action is dead and when you are doing nothing, you may think you are renewing your strength as stated in Isaiah 40:31. I like the translation that says "those that hope in the Lord will renew their strength."
I am believing God for a best-selling book. What am I doing while I am hoping, waiting and believing? I am writing! No one can buy a book I haven't written. While it sounds spiritual to say, "I'm praying about that right now," it's also spiritual to act on your faith projects. To not do so is symptomatic of Christian-itis.
THE CURE
Each symptom of Christian-itis has a simple cure. For "Godspeak," you must be honest with God. For false humility, you must have an accurate assessment of who you are and who you're not. And for inactivity, there is action. While all three remedies are simple and straightforward, they are difficult to employ. Why? Because Christian culture feeds and perpetuates the symptoms! They are actually held in high esteem by many.
So what say you? Are you ready to be cured or are you satisfied to stay in your present condition? Are you ready to go against the norm and act differently than you have in the past? If not, then purpose will always be a fantasy for you, a destination you would like to reach if it doesn't require too much. If you are ready to apply the remedies, then you are ready for your PurposeQuest -- and you will not be disappointed. I urge you to choose the latter option and get on with the work that God has for you to do. If I can help you in any way, please let me know. Have a great week!
Feel free to add your comments to this entry on the site where it is posted.
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I released my new book, Beyond Purpose, several weeks ago. The cost of my new book is $15 US. If you order in July, I'll pay the domestic shipping or give you a $3 US credit toward international shipping. You can use PayPal to pay for your book. Just use my email address, [email protected], and they will notify me when your payment is in my account. Just include your address with the payment and we'll get your book(s) out to you right away.
If you can't use PayPal, then send me an email and we'll work something out, but order today.
Speaking of money and payments, every now and then I like to remind you that I live by faith. I send out thousands of Memos and weekly Bible studies free of charge and I enjoy doing it. If you have been blessed by my purpose message or work, however, would you consider a contribution at this time. You can go to my website and donate using PayPal, or you can send a tax-deductible check to PurposeQuest, PO Box 91099, Pittsburgh, PA, 15221 USA. Just think of your donation that will help make my schooling possible. Thank you for considering my request.
Also, I am thinking about sponsoring my own cruise to Alaska in 2008. If you would like to be a part of that, please drop me an email to let me know and I will send you the details when they are available It will probably be next July.
Again you rattle the cages of the status quo?!!!
Accolades and a rousing ovation and the sound of a quiet - paper only offering in support of this post. Why Christians check their brain at the door when they say "I do" to Christ is beyond me!
I stand guilty on all three counts to various stages of the aforementioned behaviors. In the Toastmasters International public speaking training organization they have someone assigned as an 'AH' counter to help each other be aware of the distracting verbal 'burps' we do in public speaking. Why not in church too? I recognize that prayer is toward Heaven but if we pray out loud others hear us and they should be edified and not distracted by the words we say in our prayers. Perhaps our insecurity, our false humility or even our pride prevents the openness in relationship you call for?
Thank you for pointing out the blind spots of our behaviors in an effort to help us mature in our faith!
May God continue to give you insight in Him and provide an ever growing audience that will not just listen to what you say - but actually apply it in our lives as well!
Posted by: Bill | July 23, 2007 at 12:34 PM
I think waiting on God does not necessarily mean doing nothing. When you go into a restaurant, and a waiter "waits on you", I don't think it means (she) just sits or stands there and do nothing. To me it sound more like you try to do what is pleasing to HIM.
Regarding your comments about false humility, I think it would be wise to acknowledge that without God's help, we can do nothing.
Posted by: Emmanuel Okello | July 23, 2007 at 01:15 PM