When Being Good Isn't Good Enough: 21 Days of GraceSampl

Product vs. Process 

Second, not only can we lose our freedom by focusing on results rather than on relationship, we can (and the second is like the first) lose our freedom by focusing on product rather than process. 

That’s what happened when John’s disciples came to Jesus to ask about fasting. Reading between the lines, you see John’s disciples were rather upset about the levity and lack of spirituality among the disciples of Jesus. Jesus answered John’s disciples by asking, “Can the friends of the bridegroom mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them” (Matt. 9:15)? When Jesus is present it’s time to have a party, and He said that He would never leave us. That makes the process quite bearable. In fact, sometimes the process can be more fun than the goal to which the process is leading. 

Most folks have heard the advertising slogan “Getting there is half the fun,” or the one that beckons “Adventures in Moving.” Well, that’s what the Christian faith is all about. When we forget about the adventure of getting there and concentrate on the final outcome, we miss a lot. I have a colleague who says that the problem with evangelical Christianity is that everybody is selling the product and nobody is using it. We have created a pyramid sales operation, where we either sell the product or teach others to sell it and, honestly, we are moving a lot of product. But nobody is using it. 

I saw a sign in the window of our mechanic’s shop the other day: “Charges: $10.00 an hour. If you watch: $15.00 an hour. If you help: $20.00 an hour.” I suspect God feels the same way sometimes. Too often, we interfere with His work, and we lose our freedom in the process. If we really knew He felt like the mechanic, maybe we would let up a bit and enjoy the abundant life He gives. One of the most wonderful facts I ever learned was that I didn’t have to be God. I used to feel that if I failed, or just let something fall through the cracks, all God planned for the church I served and the people I loved would come to naught. I sometimes think that if I don’t act responsibly and if I don’t do the right thing, all God’s plans for the world will come to a devastating end. Isn’t that silly? I’m not God, and He didn’t ask me to be His substitute. What a tremendous relief! 

“Son,” the Father said one day, “for a while do me a favor. Quit trying to help Me. I was doing all right before you came on the scene and I probably won’t do so bad after you’re gone. So would you let up just a bit?” I did. Nothing came apart. In fact, things got better, and for the first time in my life, I was free.