[Discoveries] 06-12-08 Overrighteous? -- Ecclesiastes 7:16

[Inspiration in Your Inbox]

/*Do not be overrighteous; neither be overwise -- why destroy yourself? 
-- Ecclesiastes 7:16*/

We get some crazy ideas. I used to think if unchurched was bad, and 
churched was good, then more churched must be better, right? I figured 
if you knew how to sweat when you prayed, stomp when you preached, and 
"amen" when you sat in the pew, then that made you a mighty fine guy. I 
knew how to put on my church face, shake hands and act like I was in a 
continuous state of revival.

Are you getting sick yet?

When I was in college I worked one summer as window trim painter in a 
prefab building manufacturing plant. The guy who drove me to work was a 
fellow churchman. One day he said to me, "Dwight, when I saw you in 
church, I guess you were in your element, and, to tell you the truth, I 
was a little afraid of you. But now that I see you here at work I 
realize that you're just like everybody else."

It was an offhand remark, but, to be honest, it rocked my little world. 
I felt like I had been found out. I didn't want to be like everybody 
else. I wanted to be better. I wanted to be the best there was. But, 
deep down inside, the truth gnawed at me. I really was just like 
everybody else. If anything, I was worse.

What kind of kids does God want?

Real ones. Heaven is not populated with religious fakes. In fact, we 
must lose all our religious fakery before we get through the door. 
Inflated religious egos can't squeeze through the narrow gate to eternal 
life.

I've learned the truth. I really am just like everybody else. All of us 
are in need of God's grace. And only when we get real with God, with 
ourselves and with each other, does that grace pour out into our lives.

Be encouraged!
Dwight


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