Aug 17 2009

Care to Enlighten Me?

Posted in Living show hide 11 comments

I don’t claim to be a biblical scholar.  I doubt I’ll ever make that claim.

I don’t claim to be a perfect Christian.  I promise I’ll never make that claim.

I do know right from wrong and the fine line that seems to be between the two.

This post is to ask for your input on a few things.  I don’t want you to give me an excuse to do wrong.  I’m pretty sure my mind is made up in regards to what I’m about to type, but I’m curious to know where other people stand.

I’m not positive how I should say what is to follow, but I will say up front….I AM NOT talking about anyone specifically, nor is it my intention to offend anyone.  Just seeking opinions, regardless of what they are.  If you feel the need to be negative, I might suggest the X in the upper right hand corner (upper left to Mac users)….I’m not finding fault or judging….NONE OF THAT.  That said…..here ya go:

I’ve said this before…..I read LOTS of blogs…..I would say 95% of the authors are Christians.  Lots of posts I read talk about how broken they are…..how all jacked up their lives are.  Most use these lines, I assume, to let readers know none of us are perfect and they’re just as screwed up as the next guy……Ya know, to seem more “normal”.

What I find odd is this:  Lately I have seen more and more posts telling readers about specific things they have done and are doing,  explaining them away cuz “I’m just a broken mess like the next guy.”

At what point do we not use the fact that we’re all broken as an excuse?  I mean….is drinking wrong?  Is getting drunk?  Some will argue fervently that it is.  If it’s wrong, wouldn’t glorifying it via your blog be wrong too?  I’m not writing about the recovering alcoholic who is sharing/venting his or her story.  I’m referring to the average, every day, Christian, who in one post, has been delivered from these sins and way of life and now “battles” the demons.  At the same time of their battles, they talk about how last night they did this or that, but it’s ok….cuz I’m broken.

Is looking lustfully at a man or woman (that is NOT your spouse) wrong?  Does your writing a blog post making light of it because you’re just as broken as the next guy/gal make it UN-wrong?

Listen, (here it comes…are you ready?), I’m just as screwed up as the next guy…..I had to put that there, but the simple truth is I AM.  I am as unperfect as they come.  I do things that I’m quite sure I should not do.  I do things, and as I’m doing them, I wonder if God is crying in disappointment.  I am individually the spokesperson for brokenness.  I put a TON of my life out there via this blog.  I am, pretty much, an open book.  BUT I try my best not to glorify the bad that I do cuz I don’t have any idea who reads this stuff.  I’d be stupid to think it’s only those who comment and if you think that about your blog, GET REAL! I used to look at stat programs and I know that’s not true and I don’t want one of my posts to be read by some vulnerable teenager, giving them motivation to be “broken” just like I am.  In turn, they convince themselves that EVERYTHING is ok because they’re saved.

Yes, He forgives all sins, but we can’t forget, He also knows our hearts.  Do we think He doesn’t notice that we ask forgiveness for the same sins EVERY day?  At what point are we taking advantage of the Grace He has given us?  At what point do we stop?

Trust me, I know things are difficult….especially when we’re talking about drinking, smoking, etc.  To finally QUIT and stop talking about God forgiving you for NOT quitting, is a vicious cycle.  I don’t have a problem with the struggle…..we all struggle…..I struggle….LOTS.   I welcome anyone who needs to talk and I would much rather you come talk to me, or anyone else for that matter, than you write a post about it once a month…or better yet, every week.  I admit that I have actually had the thought…”well, i don’t feel so bad now that I know so and so has the same issues.”  Man, I just think that’s a scary message to have out there.

Again, no, none of us are perfect, but sometimes I see things that seem like we’re using our struggles over and over to seem more Christian…..in the end, aren’t we saying that we’re not learning any lessons, cuz we keep having the same struggles?

I don’t have the answers.  I don’t expect for you to have them either, but would welcome your thoughts.

Care to enlighten me?

  • http://www.russhutto.com Russ Hutto

    Very interesting question…and one that I have asked myself many times before.

    I actually have unfollowed a few bloggers for this very reason. Not because I think it's wrong to be transparent, but because I think it's wrong to overglamourize and overglorify the stuff that we should have already had dominated in our lives. And even if we still struggle here and there, there's nothing wrong with sharing the struggle with close friends, but sometimes we just need to keep our mouths shut for the sole purpose of not causing others to stumble!

    Great post.

    • http://intensedebate.com/people/Pastor_T Pastor_T

      Oh, forgot to mention…..tomorrow's post was inspired by you :-)

  • http://intensedebate.com/people/Pastor_T Pastor_T

    Thanks Russ!! I appreciate that you "get it".

  • http://billgrandi.com bill (cycleguy)

    T: hey dude! I don't know what happened but for some reason my Google Reader stopped posting your blog. I didn't check yours because of it. I just thought with the new baby that your time was gone. I caught up reading but can't catch up commenting. Will stay posted now. Hope all is well. Good thoughts on this post btw. I think we like the "shock value" of I am just like you that sensationalism can bring.

    • http://intensedebate.com/people/Pastor_T Pastor_T

      Time has been tough to come by, but glad to see ya back!! Mom's been in country the past few weeks, but I should get back to the normal writing AND reading schedule soon as she, unfortunately, leaves us tomorrow.
      Hope all is well!

  • http://www.philter48.com/ ckroboth

    When I write, I write to my struggles not about them. I write in such away to talk about the issue, but no put undo focus on my own struggles.

    I think there are some that just like the drama and the attention it brings.

  • http://www.philter48.com/ ckroboth

    by the way it is much harder to read your blog when it is translated to Chinese… I will try Korean… And nope still hard to read.

    • http://intensedebate.com/people/Pastor_T Pastor_T

      HA! I wondered if that actually worked. I guess I should try things out before I put em on here, huh? :D

  • http://pathfromtheheadtotheheart.wordpress.com Chrystie

    Great post! Definitely given me something to chew on. I like to write about the journey (which often includes the struggle). I don't want to forget to write about the joy, lesson, or blessings though. Thanks for the reminder!

  • Your other mom

    People do often use their humanity as an excuse, however you CANNOT claim to be delivered then continue with the same behavior. Either you are delivered and free or not. Some things that we consider sin such as smoking or such are not directly refered to in the Bible. But lust and thing of that nature are. So if they are allowing themselves to continue on this path I think they should find out where they stand on their salvation. Our humanity is not an excuse to sin. and even though Christ covered us in his blood he still expects us to give it our all everyday. Of course none of us are perfect because we are not God.

  • http://twitter.com/apostlethatroks @apostlethatroks

    This is certainly a loaded question, Toby. I have seen rationalization in all its forms (even invented a few of my own, don'tcha know) but the bottom line is this: our relationship with our Father, His Son and The Holy Spirit, is exactly that…OURS. Just because Paul was allowed to pray about the thing he does that he doesn't want to do does not give us license to random-loop sin ourselves. If I had my way, the people who are glorysin blogging are feeling the immediate conviction that should come when they hit the post tab. Admitting I'm an idiot wrapped in a moron on a good day makes it easy for me to witness to others when I see the same tangled web ensnaring them. Mind you, I'm rarely invited to do so before and NEVER thanked after. It should come as no surprise to you, Toby, that I really don't give a big care either. The Truth leaves no room for regret.

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