Two lies . . .

That keep us standing still

With speaking engagements last week in Oklahoma, Missouri and California, it was a fun and hectic week. And somewhere in there, for whatever reason I started thinking about the enemy. You know the one. And how he loves this chaotic culture in which we live, wanting those of us who follow Jesus to do nothing but sit back and fret.

Because the last thing the enemy wants is our engagement in this world.

I’m no C.S. Lewis and this is not The Screwtape Letters, but I do have thoughts. Because any of us living by faith deal with him. I don’t know about you, but most of the time I don’t realize when he shows up.

But I do know two lies which all of us hear, maybe regularly. If we defeat them, we change the world. If not, we get stuck. Here they are:

“You’re not enough”

I get hit with this one often. I get to speak in front of folks. Last week, with three events, probably around a thousand people. And I can’t tell you how many times my head says, “You need to be “more,” as in, “more humorous,” “more insightful,” “more engaging,” more . . . the list gets endless.

Now, let’s not kid ourselves. I’m hardly beyond improvement. I should always try to make better, more heartfelt connections with every person to whom I have the honor to speak to. ‘Nuff said.

But these attacks aren’t the kind that say, “Hey, let’s tweak this over here or add that over there.” Nope. These ambushes are designed to defeat, deflate . . . and distract me from the mission.

And the ironic thing is, these attacks get my focus on me, instead of on those who have taken the time to come to an event where I happen to be.

I’m learning to recognize this voice and hopefully, dismiss it. Which means separating these negative bombardments from those times when yes, like any of us, I need to improve.

A question for us all

What about you? Let me ask, “Where is it that you hear that voice saying, ‘You’re not enough?’”

Because the one who fights us wants to block us from stepping forward, from engaging that friend who is struggling to find faith, from taking on that role which appears—from our perspective—to be for someone more educated, more qualified, more . . . more something.

This lie freezes us. It sends us back to our comfort zone, telling us comfort is better than trusting in God and stepping out in faith.

That’s one lie. Here’s another:

“You’re great. But you need to wait.”

This one is related to the first. But while the first lie tells us we’re not up to whatever God calls us to do, this one tells us, “You’re okay. But you just need more time.”

The “Just Wait” lie comes in different forms. Perhaps the voice tells us, “You’re learning and growing! You’re going to get there one day. Just not . . . now.” Or, “There are a few issues you need to work on . . . first.”

This approach is incredibly deceiving, because there is no direct attack. In fact, it’s half-true. Yes, we must continue to grow. We’re never “there,” wherever that is.

But then I think of the demoniac Jesus healed, the crazy man who terrorized his community (Mark 5 and elsewhere). Just moments after meeting Jesus, he was sane. And when Jesus and the disciples were leaving the area, the newly-healed man asked to go with Jesus. Great idea, right?

The former demoniac wanted to learn from the master, and who can blame him? He wanted time to grow, to fully understand his new life.

But Jesus said—in my loose translation— “Nope. You stay here and tell your story.” No waiting, no three-month Bible study, no . . . nothing. Just tell your story. It is enough and you don’t need to wait.

If, without training, he can tell his story, what prevents us?

It was the same with The Samaritan Woman. Immediately after Jesus told her he was the messiah, she ran back to her village to tell her story. Jesus didn’t stop her. I see no reason why he would stop us.

Let’s get started. Now.

If we want to engage this culture and take back lost ground, we must recognize there is an opponent doing everything possible to keep us off the field.

Crushing the lies is our first step.

And the second step? Go.

Whatever it is we’re not enough for, whatever we are only “almost ready” for, let’s take that next step and engage a culture which desperately needs all of us.

The truth? You are ready. So am I.

And now is the time.