Jack Watts’ weekly column is aimed at helping those who have been wounded, including those who have been abused by the church. If you are in pain—or if someone you know is in pain—you will find real comfort, wisdom, and answers right here. Based on his book, Recovering from Religious Abuse, published by Simon & Schuster, Jack will teach you the value of working the “11 Steps to Spiritual Freedom.” Remember, recovery is a process—not a destination. The answers are simple but not always easy. Look to the Lord and allow His Spirit heal you.
Faith is a living, daring confidence in God’s grace. It is so sure and certain that a man could stake his life on it a thousand times—Martin Luther
Several years ago, in Cheshire, England, two twelve-year-old schoolboys were disciplined for “refusing to pray to Allah” as part of their school’s religious education program. A spokesman for the county council said, “Educating children in the beliefs of different faiths is part of Cheshire’s diversity curriculum.”
Because of separation of church and state, this scenario couldn’t be replicated in the America—not exactly. But the mindset of accepting all religious systems as equally valid is a fundamental belief of American political correctness. Although most churches would repudiate this based on their doctrine, it’s the de facto belief system for most Christians as well.
In an attempt to be acceptable to everyone, Christians have watered-down Christ’s teachings, attempting to remove exclusivity from His message. If you think this is an exaggeration, just ask any young Christian under twenty-five if Christ is the only way to God. Three-out-of-four will either hedge or deny it out-rightly. Christianity isn’t losing the cultural war; it has already been lost.
Our churches are filled with weak, materialistic, sappy people—not robust men and women—not those who refuse to bend their knees to anyone other than the Lord. In our watered-down version of cultural Christianity, which is espoused in many denominations, God’s blessings are equated to materialism and not to the rich character qualities of love, joy, peace, patience, and kindness. If you are prosperous, God is blessing you. If you aren’t, your life has fallen short of the mark.
When the two English boys made a stand for what they believed, they paid a price, but their defiance also made news worldwide.
Remember, fidelity may cost you everything; but without it, you don’t have anything of value. These kids made a stand for something important. Do you think you could do the same thing?
If being faithful to the Lord is your motivating desire in life, join me in this prayer:
Father,
Sometimes, life is so hard.
Doing the right thing seems easy enough,
Until it comes time to do it,
When dread of adverse consequences
Becomes an overwhelming concern.
I want to know why can’t life be easier for me?
Why am I so special that my life
Is constantly filled with such difficulties?
Why can’t things go easily—just for a while?
Why me, Lord? Why me? Why? Why? Why?
I don’t want to sound like I’m whining,
But I know that I am. I’m complaining because
My shoes are too tight, while others go barefoot.
I know I should be more grateful,
But I need a respite from my anguish—
To be far from despair and sorrow.
There is nobody who can help me but You.
The “Be warmed and be filled crowd” of believers
Smile and offer meaningless, glib platitudes,
As I try to nurse wounds that I fear will destroy me.
I want to serve You with gladness and joy,
But there is no sense of hope within me—
Nothing that could sustain me for more
Than a few moments at a time.
I don’t want to be a plastic automaton,
And pretend that everything is fine and joyous,
When I know that things are dreadfully wrong.
My days, which are numbered by You,
Are passing before me, and it all seems
Like a terrible, meaningless waste.
Intervene, Lord, and allow me to know
Joy and gladness once again.
Fill my days with peace and purpose,
So that I can tell others of Your fidelity.
Amen.
Refer to Step 11: I make a commitment to nurture my relationship with the Lord, asking Him to reveal His will to me and to provide me with the power to carry it out.
One thing I have asked from the Lord, that I shall seek; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to meditate in His temple. For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle; in the secret place of His tent He will hide me; He will lift me up on a rock. (Psalm 27:4-5)
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