I just heard the other day that we can't call them "dummies" anymore... now they must be called "Mannequin Americans" !:] Anyway.... that's not really what I want to talk about...
it just cracks me up when I hear someone bragging about their team, like they were the ones that scored the winning goal! They are soooo pumped as they yell "WE WON!" Yet really... did "we" win, or was it the players who put in the blood sweat and tears? So it is when most consider their life of faith... if their "team" is winning, they inherit the bragging rights... no matter who really paid the price.
Think of it... all one needs to do is buy a ticket, get some snacks and a drink, walk up to a favorite perch in the bleachers, and you are "in the game". Many religious people live in similar fashion...
they get on their suit, hair nails and pumps, and find their favorite perch in the "sanctuary" ...and BAM! ...they are "in the Name". Who cares if just walking into a barn doesn't make you a horse, and so what if just walking into a McDonald's doesn't make you a cheeseburger; they've arrived and all of a sudden they just "own it"?
...no matter if it is real or not, that's how we're supposed to play the game!?!
Let me break it down a bit for you. You have heard those sports junkies quote you stats and points for their favorite teams and players... well, so it is in some religious circles. They can tell you their Pastor's testimony, and last week's offering amount. They may even tell you how their Church paid for some chickens to be sent to some very poor village, or how their youth went on a mission trip to Colorado! Wow! But, somehow I thought this whole faith thing was supposed to be personal... when do we get our own "feet wet"
...where is my personal experience with God?Sometimes it's like people are living off someone else's experience... and as long as you were in the same room when it was voiced, it's as good as you really being there...
I don't think so! The mantra we hear chanted is for the church-goers to "partner" with ministries by sending their cash.
Well you know... "if you can't go, send someone who can" ...and I get that, but when are we going to pick up our end of the cross and really feel the weight of living by faith? I mean, when are we really going to go so far beyond our own means, that we need a miracle of God to pull it off? Until then we are just living safe in the boat, and it's the other guy that has to walk on the water.
I heard a great application for leaders... to expect the students to live the life they are called to, and for the leaders not to let the students to ride-in on their teacher's experience. Get the students out living it... instead of dreaming about it. Until your students are walking by faith, you haven't taught them a thing. They have merely learned to quote you and mimic your every move. Like puppets under your command, they aim to please... that is, as long as you are in the class. But until you have them thinking for themselves, acting on their own, and really out walking the talk...
they are just mannequins in your collection... and you are the dummy."Don't Waste Your Life" by John Piper
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