I have a committee in my head that is always trying to weigh in and undo me spiritually. One of those committee members is my inner slacker. These are few things I tell him, so that he will shut up so I can get something done for Jesus.
1. This is what it takes.
Jesus wasn’t afraid to tell people the cost of following him. He would point blank tell them, “This is what it takes.” You hear it in statements like, “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me.” (Mark 8:34). Or “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit to for service in the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:62.
I have discovered that keeping your hand to the plow isn’t always as dramatic or demanding as you might want to think. Sometimes the cost is as simple as taking time for prayer, when others would not. Or, giving something rather, than purchasing something.
2. The cost of not doing it is greater.
Have you ever stopped to think about what it costs for you not to be a disciple? Theologian, Dallas Willard raised that question in my mind when he wrote,
Nondiscipleship costs abiding peace, a life penetrated throughout by love, faith that sees everything in the light of God’s overriding governance for good, hopefulness that stands firm in the most discouraging of circumstances, power to do what is right and withstand the forces of evil. In short, it costs exactly that abundance of life Jesus said he came to bring (John 10:10). The cross-shaped yoke of Christ is after all an instrument of liberation and power to those who live in it with him and learn the meekness and lowliness of heart that brings rest to the soul… The correct perspective is to see following Christ not only as the necessity it is, but as the fulfillment of the highest human possibilities and as life on the highest plane.
3. You can do twice as much as you think you can.
Okay, for this bit of wisdom, I have no biblical quote or prominent theologian on whose shoulders I can allow it to stand. My nephew’s rugby trainer is always telling them, “You can do twice as much as you think you can.” As I have been physically training for a backpacking trip to Philmont with my son, I am finding this to hold true. Many times when I just don’t feel like I can put out anymore physically, I remind myself I can do twice what I think I can and by golly guess what? I keep going.
I believe this to be true in our spiritual endeavors as well. When my spiritual inner slacker sits up and whines, I often times abdicate to it. However, I am learning that I don’t have to listen to it. Ask the Holy Spirit to shut your inner slacker’s mouth and fill your head with the reality of what can be, rather than how hard it can be.
4. It’s really not about you anyways.
Even if you can do twice what you think you can, the good news is, is that God is in your life and can do infinitely more than you imagine. So tell your inner slacker to get over itself. Now, step up to the plate of spiritual disciplines and faithfulness and lean on God to fill the gaps in ways you couldn’t imagine.