DEAR CHURCH, I HAVE HAD ENOUGH OF NOT BEING ENOUGH

Lately the only message I seem to get from devotions and sermons is that I am not enough. I need to be better. I need to do more. I have had enough.

In the last month I’ve been told to have be stop being too busy and be more generous, more evangelical, more prayerful, more grateful- all good things. However, my Christian “to-do” list is longer than my actual to-do list and frankly is more overwhelming.

I want to do everything on this list. I know His way is best, so I want to do it His way. I know it should not be overwhelming and his burden is light, blah, blah. blah. But if that is true, why is the only message I seem to be receiving is to do more, do better, be more, be better?

Maybe preachers typically think, “by the end of my sermon, I want the listener to be challenged, to be changed”. So they feel the message is not complete unless we are given something to do better, of which to do more?

I agree there is plenty of times we need a holy kick in the pants, a bit of loving conviction. But I am not convinced we need to be convicted or challenged every week. Yet it seems that I am being constantly bombarded with something new to add to my “be-a-better-Christian-to-do-list”.

Yes, yes, I know, I can hear the whole sermon you want to give me. I have given the same one to people who tell me, “but isn’t Christianity about being a good person, following rules, behaviour modification etc., etc., etc.” I agree! Yet, I’m not sure church rhetoric matches that.

The relentless Christian to-do list is not necessarily what God is demanding but what the church seems to be demanding. Perhaps we can consider mixing it up in our sermons and devotions.

Perhaps a sermon’s main point could be “hey, you’re doing great” or “what’s so cool about God- and you” or “ten ways to delight in God that don’t require trying harder” (enjoying cake and coffee with Jesus is a personal fav as is going to an art gallery and being fascinated with how wonderfully creative God made humans).

Perhaps a devotion series on ways to enjoy being with God. Maybe we could “work on” how to sit still and do nothing but bask in his love, or watch the ocean waves or stars in his silent presence.

Just a thought, but for the love of Jesus (literally) don’t feel you HAVE to do this!

“Delight yourself in the Lord” Psalm 37:4