Engaged or Disengaged?

 

 

The answer to many of life's most common problems isn't always trying harder.

Spinning up more RPM's doesn't always resolve issues, relieve tensions or ensure progress in the face of delays and detours. Accomplishment isn't only about making your engine go faster. It's also about getting in gear. 

More RPM's don't matter if you're not in gear. 

Period.

How do I know?  Experience, that's how.

I've known people who talk and talk and talk about going on a diet. They invest huge amounts of time, energy and resources in their diet without ever actually counting their calories or carbs. They never put their diet in gear.

I've heard people go on and on about the nuanced benefits of their exercise plans. They say they're going to "get in shape" and "start training." But after months of hearing them get all amped-up talking about their "fitness" I've yet to see them lift a weight, walk on a treadmill or jog a mile. They don't actually exercise. It's as if they think being excited about fitness is the same as getting in gear and working-out.

And I've seen too many people do the same thing in their spiritual lives. I've done it too. I've mistaken a burst of energy for progress and accomplishment. I've mistaken strong emotion for actual mission success.

Have you?

I've watched myself get all pumped-up and excited about walking with God, but too often I don't get in gear and take my next step toward Christ. I've heard myself make bold statements about the spiritual disciplines I'm going to engage, but I've occasionally failed to actually engage those disciplines, so nothing has come of it.

When I see myself (or others, for that matter) mistaking talk for action, or acting as if a lot of emotion is the same as engaging the work and getting something done, it's not only heart-breaking, it's wrong. It's all smoke and no fire; it's knowledge without application; it's flame without heat; it's talk without action; it's activity without accomplishment.

I don't believe there's anything wrong with the fire of burning ambition (and it's a far better motivator than fear) but any momentum for change depends on engaged passion. Every time we decide we're content "being dis-engaged for a while," we undermine our own progress. We can be engaged in work, or engaged in rest, but we won't make progress in either when we're dis-engaged and drifting.

If you want to fly, you've got work to do. Like the Emperor Geese pictured above, the only way to soar is to get busy flapping your wings. 

Talking about prayer isn't praying.
Talking about worship isn't worshipping. 
Planning to read the Bible isn't reading the Bible. 
I need to engage.

I need to put my spiritual life in gear so the energy I feel gets transferred into action. If you'd like to do the same, consider participating in GCC's 8-Week-Discipleship opportunity. We're studying The Tangible Kingdom Primer by Hugh Halter with a process similar to the Experiencing God work we did last semester: discussion, live teaching and helpful study guides. 

Register here, and let's get busy.
 

Proverbs 14:23  -  All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.

Comments

[Ryentzer]

I really enjoy your thought provoking posts. I wanted to read a book on The History of Christianity for years and I finally sat down and got started. This book has stirred my soul and has strengthened a once tired and drifting spirit.