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

Fantasy vs. Facts 

Fifth, not only can we lose our freedom by focusing on results rather than relationship, on product rather than process, on particulars rather than principles, and on law rather than love, but we can lose our freedom by focusing on fantasy rather than fact. 

The Bible is very clear about the fallen nature of the world. It’s not a pretty picture. I am constantly amazed at how Christians can become Pollyanna almost without thinking. They say, “Isn’t the world grand! Isn’t everything wonderful! Isn’t life fine! Isn’t it great to be a Christian!” I want to say something kind and pastoral to those kinds of people like, “Are you some kind of fruitcake or what?” 

We live in a fallen world (Gen. 3). That means that things aren’t grand. But more important, you and I aren’t grand either. 

Have you ever found that the good becomes the enemy of the “not half bad”? It happens, you know. We live in a very messed up world, and very little, if anything, is perfectible this side of heaven. If that is true, and you spend all of your time expecting perfection—or what is close to perfection— either in yourself or in others, you are going to be miserable, dishonest, or neurotic. Thus, it is sometimes important to rejoice in the “not half bad.” 

If your son or daughter gets a B instead of the A you expected, you say, “You can do better than that!” instead of, “That’s not half bad.” When your pastor preaches a fairly good sermon, you say, “Didn’t have time to prepare this week, Reverend?” instead of, “That’s not half bad.” When your wife has been up to her ears in kids all day, and, given the circumstances, has prepared a fairly good meal, you say, “Tomorrow I hope you have more time to fix dinner,” instead of, “That’s not half bad.” When your husband comes home after a fight with his boss (which was the best thing that happened all day), and he kisses you on the cheek and heads for the easy chair, you say, “You can do better than that,” instead of “That’s not half bad.” When your wife is trying to work at her job and maintain her sanity by being your wife too, you say, “Looks to me like you could organize yourself better,” instead of, “Honey, I appreciate how hard you work.” 

You get the idea. 

Let me give you one of the working principles of the universe: When a dog plays checkers, don’t criticize its game. Be pleased and surprised that the dog is playing at all. In other words, in a fallen world don’t expect a whole lot. When you get anything good, you ought to be pleased. Or to put it the way I’ve put it in the front of my Bible: “You wouldn’t be so shocked by your own sin if you didn’t have such a high opinion of yourself.” 

I’m not saying that Christians shouldn’t strive for excellence. But I am saying, for God’s sake, try to be more realistic about the way you are and the way the world is. It’s a matter of focus.