I have noticed that increasingly
regular people fail to answer a direct question with a direct answer. It is an
answer but it is unclear what the question was to both the questioner and the “questionee.”
Yes, I coined a word. “Is this blue?” is answered with, “I was looking for
paint in the closet.” Huh? I just want to know is this blue? It seems yes or no
will get me there. Now, I am mean enough to continue to ask the same question
until someone answers with a yes or no.
I believe people think they are
answering the question until they listen to their answer and then wonder what-in-the-world
they were asked. I am guilty as well. I often give too much information do
contextualize my answer. Clarity takes one on the chin. I wonder if this stems
from an aversion to commitment. If you don’t answer directly there is always
room to wiggle out from scrutiny if needed. You can always deny the meaning
under scrutiny. We see this all too often in relationships. A couple is doing
all of the things a married couple would do but they are not married. It gives
some wiggle room to get out. What is missing, the commitment.
Consider a fine breakfast plate
with eggs, toast and bacon or sausage! When Geoffrey was small Barbara would
ask him what he wanted to go with his bacon. He always answered sausage! I use
that answer now. So, our plate has bacon AND sausage. Let’s look at this from a
commitment standpoint. The chicken has participated in our breakfast. The egg
is a product from the chicken. The pig, well the pig participated but more than
that the pig is committed. It cost the pig his life! That is commitment.
It seems our aversion to
commitment has invaded our faith. Maybe delusion is the better word. We confuse
the commitment of the pig with that of the chicken believing they are equal.
They are not. So many of the “faithful” in American churches come on Sunday and
maybe during the week thinking they have made a sacrifice. They have made a
commitment to attend one Sunday a month setting aside the lake, travel ball
whatever for one weekend feeling like they are “in.” The reality is: they are
participating. But what about commitment?
The example of commitment is not
a pig but a person Jesus. Jesus committed to our salvation by leaving Heaven
for here (now that is slumming), committed to knowing our experience as a baby,
child, teen and young adult, committed to serving through ministry to the hurting,
helpless and hopeless, committed to our redemption by a torturous death on a
cross though innocent. That is ALL IN committed. From that level of commitment he
asks us to follow him.
So I ask you:
Is Jesus
more like the chicken or the pig?
Which
level of commitment is worthy of your family?
Which
level of commitment is worthy of your salvation?
Which
are you more like the chicken (participating) or the pig (committed)?
In
HIS service and yours,
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