Jonathots Daily Blog
(1089)
It happens every once in a while.
As we tour across the country, it becomes necessary to have a single overnight stay in some town for the sole purpose of resting, relaxing and getting ready for the next day’s drive. We refer to it as a “sleep stop.” There are three goals:
- Find a comfortable motel
- Carry in as little as necessary, since you’re not setting up for an entire week.
- Make it as reasonable a location as feasible so as not to bust the piggy bank.
So when we arrived in Knoxville, Tennessee, at our sleep stop, Jan was confronted by the innkeeper, who explained that the room would be more expensive than originally stated. Jan, being an excellent business woman, lodged a complaint and asked the lady at the front desk to honor her original quote.
It wasn’t a big deal–no large argument. But a negotiation ensued, and as with most compromises, both parties were dissatisfied.
So as we were unloading into our room, I handed Jan the money to cover the extra price our host felt was needed for our occupancy. It wasn’t necessary. The room was already ours, legitimately.
But it wasn’t ours righteously.
Let me tell you, my friends, there are three ways to believe.
There is the belief we proclaim to others. This is what we call “church”–quoting the Good Book and tried and true hymns, to inform our neighbors that we are good folk and excellent Americans.
Secondly, there’s the belief we apply. This is a convoluted mixture of what God says, what we think, what Mom and Dad taught us, and the pressure put on us by society to conform to the present norm.
But last, there is the belief we allow to reach into our “secret place.” This is the room within the house of our faith, where we spend most of our time, closet our fears, and determine our future–based upon our own thoughts and feelings, many of which we would never be able to share with others.
I have learned over the years that Christianity does not work unless it reaches into this private compartment.
For some of the rudest and meanest people I have ever met have just come from church, proclaiming the goodness of God.
Likewise, many of the more confused, frustrated and mentally unstable individuals I’ve encountered over the years seem to have a terrific testimony about their relationship with the Almighty.
But I’ve never met anyone who allows their philosophy to reach their “secret place” who isn’t humbly satisfied with the experience.
I didn’t need to give that lady at the front desk any more money to satisfy her requirements.
I needed to give her the money to satisfy the yearning … in my secret soul.
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Jonathots Daily Blog 