Some Personal Inventory

In Uncategorized by Roger Staub

“What is that?” Jeanie asked. “What?” “That thing you’re doing with your neck or your shirt!”  “What thing?”  “This!” as she jerked her head slightly sideways, acting like some imaginary collar was irritating her.  “I’m doing that?” I replied incredulously.  “Yeah, mostly when you’re in front of other people!”

It was 1966; we were students at the new Oral Roberts University.  Well, it didn’t take long to discover two things.  First, quite a number of other students, mostly in the Grad School of Theology, had developed the same ‘tic’ . . . . the one I was apparently dealing with.  The other thing was that Oral Roberts displayed the identical ‘twitch’ seated on the platform as he prepared to preach!

Unconsciously, a lot of young men who looked up to Rev. Roberts began, in this strange way, to imitate his public mannerisms.  I recovered almost immediately!

Since then I’ve tried, with measured success, to monitor my walk with Jesus in some basic areas of attitude and behavior.  Do I actually ‘own’ what I’m thinking, doing, and saying, or is much of it ‘borrowed;’ second-hand stuff?  Unfortunately, at least in my case, as I get older the relevance of this kind of self-policing continues.  So, in the interest of self-disclosure, I thought I’d share some of my ‘spiritual checklist’ with you.

The ‘Big Three’ is obviously pray, read the bible, and fellowship with the saints.  That sounds pretty simple, but the truth is, these things are often neglected by even the most well-meaning believers.

“I seldom pray more than five minutes; I seldom go more than five minutes without praying.”  I believe that’s a quote of Smith Wigglesworth; some great encouragement for all of us.  “Don’t stop praying!” Paul urged the church at Thessalonica.  First rule in my ‘blue collar’ prayer manual; ‘Git ‘er done!’   No matter what.  Don’t worry if it’s garbled, or hurried, or in pieces.  Just find a way, a few brief moments, to deliver those concerns, requests, intercessions, or praise.  Heaven is waiting for some fuel.  Angels are on stand-by . . . !

Sadly, only a fragment of Christians has read the Bible through, cover to cover.  Living in a society that bombards one with every kind of information, much of it frivolous and distracting, requires spiritual replenishment and reorientation daily.  For all of us!

I leave a bible open on the dining table where I often eat.  “Situational inducement” it’s called; an in-your-face reminder that physical nourishment is only a part of my health.  It’s not very spiritual, but it turns out I’m not very spiritual either, without prodding.  The truth hurts . . . . but then it heals.

Spiritual fellowship is seldom achieved by church attendance.  Good as that may be, we need much more.  I teach that the authentic symbol of the Christian faith is a table.  It is when we sit with believers eye to eye, and ‘get things on the table’ that our growth and refinement moves powerfully forward.  It’s particularly potent when there’s a few folks present that don’t agree with us about everything.  Now we’re cooking!

After these basics, which you’ll agree require some expended energy, there are a few questions I need to regularly ask myself.  Am I being . . . .

  • Kind? One of the memorable moments of Viola Davis’ portrayal of 1950’s domestic/nanny Kathryn Stockett in the movie, The Help, was her daily encouragement of her young charge; “You is kind, you is smart, you is important!”  It struck a chord in many movie-goers’ hearts.

In my writing, for example, particularly when dealing with sensitive or controversial things, I find it easy to be caustic; even judgmental. Many times, I must re-write it (more than once) to try to meet this most important criteria.  And it goes without saying, doesn’t it? . . . the primary place where kindness must reign supreme is our home.  Fail this . . . and we fail much of the rest!  “Love is kind . . .” 1 Cor. 13:4

  • Genuine? I began with the silly story of my ‘tic,’ a small but revealing moment that has helped me immensely.  Doubtless we all imitate others in positive ways, appreciating a virtue or habit that’s a blessing.  Our culture, however, entices us to borrow another’s persona as it hypes celebrities, actors, athletes, ‘movers ‘n shakers.’ If we’re not cautious, our priorities, goals, dress, and speech can easily become ‘canned,’ effectively hiding that gracious personality the Spirit has been developing within us!  Let’s pay attention!

Preachers and leaders are vulnerable too; I know many whose public ministry is almost a carbon copy of another with a ‘catchy’ message or method.  That’s why God gave us wives; to tell us when we’re just ‘acting.’

  • Truthful? This is a tough one, especially during a time when lying has become ‘recreational,’ from the top to the bottom.  However, this climate is forcing us back to our ‘source,’ which is the Word of God.  When Jesus declared, “I am the truth . . .”, He established for us a reliable filter for every transaction; How does this statement I’m making or this movement I’m supporting align with the words and Spirit of Jesus Christ?

To their detriment, many sincere believers rely more heavily on their peer ‘group-think,’ some news source, or a denominational ‘position paper’ for their views, choices, and judgments rather than on those ‘wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Tim. 6:3

To remain truthful, I’m having to say a good deal less, and not act like I know so much.  I’m resorting to Jesus alone, and saying more about Him and less about issues and personalities.  My opinions won’t save anyone, change anything, or make me more impressive.  Our world is ‘drowning in data and starving for the truth.’  The intellectual / political landscape is morphing so fast it is vain to try to be the most ‘informed,’ or on the societal ‘cutting-edge.’

There’s no ‘edge’ sharper than the ‘Sword of the Spirit,’ and no more relevant truth than the ‘love of God in Christ Jesus.’  “Be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger,” Brother James cautioned.  That’s mighty relevant stuff!  His advice?  Keep taking in the Word and keep doing it!  (James 1:19-22) That will always keep us ‘in the truth!’  Leave the trendy, pompous rhetoric for others.  Makes them feel important.

Well, that’s my ‘check-list.’  Reminders mostly, of stuff we already know, but sometimes overlook.  I hope I’m doing okay with it.  And Jeanie and I pray you’re blessed in all God is leading you to do!

Oh, and don’t let that occasional feeling of being ‘awkward’ or an ‘outsider’ bother you.  Fact is, we’re all strangers here; always will be.   We’re not home yet!