The Practical Disciple

Knowing something is wrong and feeling compelled to make a change are two entirely different matters. If it only took knowledge to change, then most of us would be eating right, exercising regularly, and resting amply. Smokers could quit after reading an article on the dangers of smoking and youth would clean their rooms after being informed once that it was a disaster. Alas, the world is not so simple.
 
I have been listening to a book on my ipod called, “Switch, making changes when changes are tough.” It is a fascinating read and very revealing of human nature. One core illustration that is repeatedly referenced is an analogy comparing decision making to someone riding an elephant. There are three key components: the rider, the elephant and the path. In short, the rider is our mind giving the elephant direction. The elephant is our heart giving power for the movement. The path encompasses factors that impede or encourage movement. That’s a very simplistic breakdown of what the book shares but one that I find helpful when I consider my own ability either to move or stay stuck. I find it helpful when I consider repentance.

 
Repentance is a process. You can read more about that process by clicking here to read a prior post “The Process of Repentance.” The part of that process that I would like to highlight here is remorse.  Feeling remorse is so critical to moving away from sin and into faithfulness.  I never really understood this early on.  I thought if in my head I knew something  was wrong and said, “God, I am sorry.  Forgive me.” then I was good to go and could move on.  In some ways that was true.  Unfortunately, I find that when someone lacks remorse, then his or her repentance is very short lived.  Part of the problem is that we need remorse to fuel our fire to get away from old behavior.  Remorse can be part of the power of the elephant, but only part of it.

 
Moving “out of” verses moving  ”into”

I find that when I recognize that I am doing something wrong, initially much of my intention around change is just wanting to stop the wrong doing.  I saw this alot in recovery ministry.  For many alcoholics, initially, the focus of activity is just trying to stop drinking.  People are working at living out of the problem.  Over time a shift occurs and people want to live into a solution.  So, in the case of someone abusing alcohol at first they may just really want to stop drink.  Later on the motivation for sustaining sobriety can change to wanting to serve others or live faithfully into being the person God wants them to be.  When people are at the outset of change, remorse can be a powerful force to help them move away from sin.  However, if you want to live into something more meaningful then you need a deepening relationship with God that is pulling you into a desire for holiness.

 
What motivates change that you need to make right now?  Are you getting out of a behavior?  Are you living into Christ more?  Or is it a mixed bag?