10 Steps To A More Intimate Walk
I'm sorry – that title was a trick. I don’t know ten steps to become more intimate with Jesus… I don’t know any formulas… I guess I don’t know what God thinks about our Purpose Driven Life, Step-by-Step, grow closer to God programs either. Let me start by giving the disclaimer that I’m not trying to discount some of the excellent tools we have to augment our walk with the Lord – but those tools, as in marriage counseling tools, are only meant to set you on the right path, not be the path. Think of these tools like training wheels -- if you ever want to get serious about riding your bike, you need to lose those badboys. As a friend of God, I have to wonder what my friends would think if I approached them the way so many believers approach God… to illustrate this, I’ve written this incredibly cheesy dialogue, enjoy:
Brad: “Hey, Joshua – I know we’re only acquaintances, or whatever, but I wanted to get to know you better – so I found this new thing that can help us become better friends. It’s a 30-day program, with 15 easy steps…”
Joshua: “Uh.. yea, that’s great -- how bout you and I just hang out this weekend… we can go get coffee or dinner – you know, share what’s going on in our lives.”
Brad: “Yea… but see, we can start with this first step… its called ‘Introducing Yourself to Your Friend.’ First, we introduce ourselves… then we start making small talk. If you want, we can schedule a time next week to work on that.”
Joshua: “Brad, we’re already introduced… and I’m not really interested in making small talk… and we don’t need to schedule these things… we can hang out now.”
Brad: “Oh, right – well, maybe we should skip to Step Two: Inviting Them To Something.”
Joshua: “Ummm… yea, I just did that – remember dinner or coffee?”
Brad: “Look, why are you being difficult? Can’t you just get with the program so we can become better friends… if you don’t follow these steps with me, it won’t work, okay? This book has a money back guarantee! Okay, Step Three sounds more appropriate: Share What’s Going On In Your Life.”
Joshua: “Yea, that’s good… I like step three.”
Brad: “Okay, great – I haven’t had a chance to read the chapter yet – so I’m not ready to share right now… how does next Tuesday from 3-4 sound?”
Joshua: “Brad – give me that stupid book…”
Brad: “What? Why? I just want to know you better.”
Joshua: “Brad, I’m glad you want to be my friend but we don’t need a program. Just be a friend to me.”
How ridiculous does seem? A step-by-step program to become better friends? Yet, we do it every day when we treat God like a some unnattainable volcano god -- if we could only say or do the right little ritual in prayer, he won't erupt on us. Is our relationship with God really that different from a friendship? Jesus called us, Christians, his friends. I don’t remember Moses, Jeremiah, Jesus, Nehemiah, David or Daniel needing any program or formula – they met with God in the wilderness, on the mountaintop, in their home or in a cave.
What if I approached Jesus that way? If he responded at all, he might say: Why are you doing this program? Why the steps? Your brothers and sisters have been walking intimately with me for centuries – before there was even a bound bible, before there was powerpoint, before there was any step-by-step programs. Just listen for my voice or tell me what’s going on in your life. Stop trying to check boxes, be religious or work for some certificate or goal… give me your time and I’ll teach you to be like me. I am your teacher, your master not some ticket you have to punch. Don’t say what you think you should say – be honest. Brutally honest. I'm God, I can handle it! I love you more deeply than you can comprehend and I know you better than anyone… So, don’t prepare, just lay everything out on the table... You know that 20 minute commute to work every morning… that’s a good time for us to talk... or maybe that time you take everyday to read your bible… use some of that time to listen for my counsel. You see Brad, your honesty – even if its honesty about bad things – is the one tool I need to change your life... to make you more like me. If you don’t give me that, my hands are tied.
Brad: “Hey, Joshua – I know we’re only acquaintances, or whatever, but I wanted to get to know you better – so I found this new thing that can help us become better friends. It’s a 30-day program, with 15 easy steps…”
Joshua: “Uh.. yea, that’s great -- how bout you and I just hang out this weekend… we can go get coffee or dinner – you know, share what’s going on in our lives.”
Brad: “Yea… but see, we can start with this first step… its called ‘Introducing Yourself to Your Friend.’ First, we introduce ourselves… then we start making small talk. If you want, we can schedule a time next week to work on that.”
Joshua: “Brad, we’re already introduced… and I’m not really interested in making small talk… and we don’t need to schedule these things… we can hang out now.”
Brad: “Oh, right – well, maybe we should skip to Step Two: Inviting Them To Something.”
Joshua: “Ummm… yea, I just did that – remember dinner or coffee?”
Brad: “Look, why are you being difficult? Can’t you just get with the program so we can become better friends… if you don’t follow these steps with me, it won’t work, okay? This book has a money back guarantee! Okay, Step Three sounds more appropriate: Share What’s Going On In Your Life.”
Joshua: “Yea, that’s good… I like step three.”
Brad: “Okay, great – I haven’t had a chance to read the chapter yet – so I’m not ready to share right now… how does next Tuesday from 3-4 sound?”
Joshua: “Brad – give me that stupid book…”
Brad: “What? Why? I just want to know you better.”
Joshua: “Brad, I’m glad you want to be my friend but we don’t need a program. Just be a friend to me.”
How ridiculous does seem? A step-by-step program to become better friends? Yet, we do it every day when we treat God like a some unnattainable volcano god -- if we could only say or do the right little ritual in prayer, he won't erupt on us. Is our relationship with God really that different from a friendship? Jesus called us, Christians, his friends. I don’t remember Moses, Jeremiah, Jesus, Nehemiah, David or Daniel needing any program or formula – they met with God in the wilderness, on the mountaintop, in their home or in a cave.
What if I approached Jesus that way? If he responded at all, he might say: Why are you doing this program? Why the steps? Your brothers and sisters have been walking intimately with me for centuries – before there was even a bound bible, before there was powerpoint, before there was any step-by-step programs. Just listen for my voice or tell me what’s going on in your life. Stop trying to check boxes, be religious or work for some certificate or goal… give me your time and I’ll teach you to be like me. I am your teacher, your master not some ticket you have to punch. Don’t say what you think you should say – be honest. Brutally honest. I'm God, I can handle it! I love you more deeply than you can comprehend and I know you better than anyone… So, don’t prepare, just lay everything out on the table... You know that 20 minute commute to work every morning… that’s a good time for us to talk... or maybe that time you take everyday to read your bible… use some of that time to listen for my counsel. You see Brad, your honesty – even if its honesty about bad things – is the one tool I need to change your life... to make you more like me. If you don’t give me that, my hands are tied.
posted by Brad at 12:46 AM
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