Tuesday, March 15, 2005
40 Days of Purpose - Not my cup of tea
The church I attend just finished '40 Days of Purpose'. The program is based on a book written by Rick Warren. I'm not a fan of 40 days. I find it legalistic, confining and inconsistent with my understanding of the nature of God.
I say this because it is a very popular program and I'm a little concerned that people who find themselves NOT liking it, may feel somewhat inferior to folks who have an affinity for it.
Please understand, I'm not suggesting that people would intentionally try to make others feel inferior because of 40 days, but it can happen accidentally. If hundreds of people keep repeating what a wonderful experience something is, it may make the few that dislike it feel ostricized.
People told me how great beer was. Then I tasted it. If the truth were told, I forced myself to develop a taste for beer even though I didn't like it initially. People tell me all the time how great coffee is. I hate it. Yes, even your favorite designer flavored coffee with whipped cream and nutmeg.
I'm 44 now. I've been kicked out of a school that teaches forgiveness (Bible College), and spent my entire adult life never quite fitting in to any church I've belonged to. I've learned to be content if not comfortable with not being one of the crowd.
Don't get me wrong, I have great and wonderful friends at church. I typically feel welcomed (and generally know why I don't feel welcomed when I don't feel welcomed). It's just that I've never really fit any label; other than Will Wallace. I'm actually the best Will Wallace I know. I'm not a very good Methodist; I'd never make a Baptist (hence some of my Warren problems); and I hate legalism in every shape and form I find it (even the precious special legalism that you're sure helps move people toward God).
But the fact remains- that even though I'm a great Will Wallace (the best, I really believe) that's not my goal. My goal is to be transformed into the image of Christ. And though wildly popular, I fear programs such as 40 days of purpose have a tendency to try to transform me into the image of Christ as seen by Rick Warren, or to try to transform me into the image of Rick Warren as he transforms into the image of Christ.
This is not a criticism of 40 Days of Purpose. It is intended to be a comfort to those, like me, who find themselves on the outside looking in whenever the latest hottest fad of Christianity blows through town. Be true to who God has made you to be. That's your purpose. ¶ 8:25 PM
The church I attend just finished '40 Days of Purpose'. The program is based on a book written by Rick Warren. I'm not a fan of 40 days. I find it legalistic, confining and inconsistent with my understanding of the nature of God.
I say this because it is a very popular program and I'm a little concerned that people who find themselves NOT liking it, may feel somewhat inferior to folks who have an affinity for it.
Please understand, I'm not suggesting that people would intentionally try to make others feel inferior because of 40 days, but it can happen accidentally. If hundreds of people keep repeating what a wonderful experience something is, it may make the few that dislike it feel ostricized.
People told me how great beer was. Then I tasted it. If the truth were told, I forced myself to develop a taste for beer even though I didn't like it initially. People tell me all the time how great coffee is. I hate it. Yes, even your favorite designer flavored coffee with whipped cream and nutmeg.
I'm 44 now. I've been kicked out of a school that teaches forgiveness (Bible College), and spent my entire adult life never quite fitting in to any church I've belonged to. I've learned to be content if not comfortable with not being one of the crowd.
Don't get me wrong, I have great and wonderful friends at church. I typically feel welcomed (and generally know why I don't feel welcomed when I don't feel welcomed). It's just that I've never really fit any label; other than Will Wallace. I'm actually the best Will Wallace I know. I'm not a very good Methodist; I'd never make a Baptist (hence some of my Warren problems); and I hate legalism in every shape and form I find it (even the precious special legalism that you're sure helps move people toward God).
But the fact remains- that even though I'm a great Will Wallace (the best, I really believe) that's not my goal. My goal is to be transformed into the image of Christ. And though wildly popular, I fear programs such as 40 days of purpose have a tendency to try to transform me into the image of Christ as seen by Rick Warren, or to try to transform me into the image of Rick Warren as he transforms into the image of Christ.
This is not a criticism of 40 Days of Purpose. It is intended to be a comfort to those, like me, who find themselves on the outside looking in whenever the latest hottest fad of Christianity blows through town. Be true to who God has made you to be. That's your purpose. ¶ 8:25 PM
