Called Out

We all love a freebie, don't we? I do. I love when I get something that I didn't have to "work" for. It's a nice treat.

On Election Day, I stood in line with 30 of my closest friends (translate that as: "people I've never met before") to get a free 12-oz. cup of coffee from Starbucks because I was wearing an "I Voted" sticker. My wife went by Chick-fil-A to get a free sandwich from her sticker, but passed it up because the line was nearly as long as the day that the restaurant first opened. Yesterday, I heard several people bragging of their free sandwich, donut, scoop of ice cream, etc.

We all love a freebie. Check that, we all want a freebie.

Millions of people play the lottery each week or shove money into casino slot machines. What are they looking for? A freebie. Millions of dollars that didn't have to do a thing to earn.

Whether it's sandwiches or money or success or fame, we see how it is that our culture seems to want things . . . as a freebie.

I think we do the same thing spiritually. We go to church, turn on the radio, open up our Podcasts, or meet with our pastor looking for a free dose of the Word of God. After all, isn't it more efficient to get my plate full of Jesus at the drive through window than to actually mix it up in the kitchen of life and get engaged in the process?

I'm challenged by the words of the Apostle Paul, in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, this morning:

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.

Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

I'll be honest. I'm that guy that sometimes simply looks for a freebie from someone else rather than put in the effort on my own.

But, I want to be a man of discipline. I want to be a man who is consistently approaching the Throne of God. I want to be a man who is personally asking, seeking, and knocking longing to hear from God's heart. I want to put in the work that is required. I don't want to survive on freebies alone.

You know, freebies are nice. I love reading and hearing what other people are learning. There is a TON that I can learn from other sojourners who are following God. There is nothing inherently wrong with subscribing to blogs, listening to podcasts, or reading books. There's nothing wrong with having a TON of spiritual conversations with pastors, mentors, and friends. However, if that is the total of our spiritual lives, I think we'll end up feeling disappointed and empty.

We must spend time reading the Bible ourselves. We must spend time in personal prayer. We must engage in individual reflection and evaluation. And, like an athlete, we all need to find the "training rhythms" that work best for us. For me, it's first thing in the morning. For you, it might be something different. It's not about simply plugging into a formula. It's about engaging in an intentional relationship with the Creator of the Universe.

If that's something you struggle with, I'm right there with you. Spiritual discipline and personal ownership is an area that I'm growing in these days.

What works for you? I'd love to hear your thoughts.