KICK YOURSELF FOR CHRIST’S SAKE
.
You, who know me, know how
much I appreciate Oswald Chambers’ daily devotional called “My Utmost for His
Highest”. However, like all of us, occasionally
he proposes solutions contrary to his own basic principles. His May 20th entry is one of those
examples. To be fair, Oswald is not here
to defend this entry but if he were I’m sure he would explain how his remarks
are totally consistent with previous entries.
Nevertheless as a proponent of this 1935 publication I feel obligated to
correct the perception that I unequivocally endorse any and everything he has
to say. The second paragraph of that
example Oswald recommends the following:
.
“There are certain things we
must not pray about – moods, for instance. Moods never go by praying, moods go
by kicking.” “We have to take ourselves by the scuff of the neck and shake
ourselves, and we will find that we can do what we said we could not.”
.
We can. However the suggestion that we
can do what God asks of us by exerting more resolve and human effort, is out of
step with Oswald’s usual refrain. This directive is even at odds with Luke
21:19, the scripture it intends to provide a commentary on;
.
“In
your patience possess ye your soul” KJV “By standing
firm you will gain life.” NIV
.
The added italicized words,
“patience” and “stand firm” carry the concept of “endurance” in the original
Greek. Kicking a sufferer, even if it is
self-directed, is neither patient nor standing firm. In fact kicking is an extreme example of
impatience. Rather than stimulating
positive action this tactic is likely to create more self-consciousness at the
very moment when Christ-consciousness is most needed. This is the time, if there ever was one to,
“Be still and know that I am God.” (Ps. 46:10)
.
I am certain Oswald has a
very good reason for making this recommendation. However it could be
interpreted as an acceptable instance for focusing on our self and our will power rather than on the
power of the ever present indwelling Spirit of God. Rather than kicking, the effort which needs to
be applied is believing Christ is in us and then choosing to yield to His
desire. This is an act of rest not exertion.
.
Never the less the preponderance of Oswald’s daily
entries leads me to conclude he intended this comment as a call to actively-rest
in faith. Perhaps my favorite example of
this is his August 19th’s entry stating;
.
“God means us to live a
fully-orbed life in Christ Jesus, but there are times…we tumble into a way of
introspection which we thought had gone. Self-consciousness is the first thing
that will upset the completeness of the life” we have “in God.” “It is never God’s will that we should be
anything less than absolutely complete in Him.
Anything that disturbs rest in Him must be cured…by coming to Him. If we come to Him and ask Him to produce
Christ-consciousness, He will always do it until we learn to abide in Him.”
.
I love Oswald Chambers’ spiritually
stimulating little book even though I don’t totally agree with everything he
says, nor should you. It is never wise
to blindly follow a leader…which is the point the old witty Bible teacher, Dr. J.
Vernon McGee, quipped with his wry little chuckle, “Believe what you want. But
if you want to believe the truth, you’ll agree with me.” Therefore I don't plan to kick myself anytime soon.