Shifting Down

The other night we had dinner with friends. In a casual context, our friend was laughing over some of his experiences in various types of churches and parachurch organizations. He kinda ran his hand over his face and said, "We were just supposed to 'let go' and all of this would supposedly happen... and I wanted to 'let go' so badly, I would have done anything... but I don't know, 'letting go' got to feeling a lot like 'doing something.' "

Something clicked for me in that offhand moment. I can name that thing (whatever issue may be pressing) whatever I like, and I can rename it to make myself feel better or make it seem less intimidating... maybe it makes it sound more spiritual if I put other labels on it. But in the end, it almost always boils down to this:

I am a self-centered person who would love nothing better than to turn this God-centered faith around and make it into a religion all about myself. It doesn't matter if I'm "letting go" or "doing the best I can," eventually I will end up right where I started: a person impotent to change my own heart, a person whose mind can never think God's thoughts after Him with any skill.

I'm shifting down again. I'm not doing the best I can anymore -- and neither am I letting go --

finally I'm attempting to "just live before the face of God (coram Deo)." Life "is what it is" -- and what it truly and deeply is is God's will for me: THIS 24 hours and all that it contains holds the promise of my sanctification.

"For this is the will of God: your sanctification..."
I Thess. 4:3

"In Him we live, move, and have our being..."
Acts 17:28

First Catechism:

Q. 39. What is a change of heart called?
A. Regeneration.

Q. 40. Who can change a sinner's heart?
A. The Holy Spirit alone.


Also see this post on "The Anti-Psalm."